1. Imran Afzal 2. Romela Naz 3. Muhammad Khurram Afzal 4. M. Iqbal Mughal

1. Assoc. Prof. of Forensic Medicine, JM&DC, Karachi, 2. Asstt. Prof.  of Forensic Medicine, Sir Syed College of

Medical Sciences, Karachi, 3.  Demonstrator of Forensic Medicine, JM&DC Karachi 4. Prof. of Forensic Medicine, CPMC, Lahore

ABSTRACT

Objective: Head injuries are a major cause of mortality or disability among the youth of the nation. This study was conducted to determine the causes of head injuries in Karachi and its implications on individuals.

Study Design: Prospective observational Study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was performed at the Emergency department of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi from January 2013 to December 2013.

Materials and Methods: The study included 1,59,600 cases of head injury (expired or alive) brought to the emergency department of JPMC.

Results: Major Head injuries accounted for 42% of the total injury cases. Majority of the head injury cases belonged to the male segment of the society (73%) with ages ranging from 20 years – 39 years (54%). The leading cause of head injury was found to be Road traffic accidents(RTA) (43%). While analysing the outcomes of head injuries, it was found that the death rate for head injuries was 40%. This encompasses the patients that expired during or after treatment as well as the dead brought to the hospital.

Conclusion: The mortality rate due to head injuries is escalating day by day. Road traffic accidents account for majority of these cases. Steps need to be taken to control fatal head injuries by adopting effective preventive measures like traffic control and management, rapid response to accidents, effective and efficient handling of cases in hospital emergencies.

Key Words: Head Injury, Mortality Rate, Road Traffic Accidents, Karachi.