Abstract:
This paper aims at evaluating the neurological repercussions arising from injuries sustained due to cluster munitions in children up to 18 years in South Lebanon following the 2006 conflict. Data on neurological and pain symptoms suffered during and after treatment because of sub-munitions in South Lebanon from August 2006 till late 2011 were prospectively recorded. Patients were divided into subcategories; children aged 12 and under and adolescents aged between 13 and 18. During the study period, there were 407 casualties, 122 (30 percent) of which were aged 18 years or younger. There were 116 (95 percent) males and six (5 percent) females. Average age was 14 years. 10 (8.2 percent), all males, died as a result of their injuries. 42 (34.4 percent) were children and 80 (65.6 percent) were adolescents. 112 had surgical treatments for their injuries. 83 out of 112 patients (74 percent) with non-lethal injuries had amputations, 67 percent children and 78 percent adolescents. Among those who had amputations, 31 (37.4 percent) suffered from phantom limb pain and 71 percent suffered from stump-residual limb pain. 88 percent of patients were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (44 percent children and 77 percent adolescents) and 41 percent were diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Four patients (3.6 percent) suffered from traumatic brain injuries, both penetrating and closed. Pain syndromes were found in all patients who had amputation. The injury related comorbidities together with many post-concussion syndrome cases, and fewer traumatic brain injuries lead into a high level of physical, psychosocial and economic burdens on the community. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Italia.