Introduction:
Animal bite injuries in children, particularly those to the head region, are a significant concern in pediatric emergency departments. Facial bites can vary from minor lacerations to life-threatening injuries, often resulting in long-term physical and psychological effects.

Aim:
The study aims to assess the characteristics of facial bites in the pediatric population, available management strategies, and the physical and psychological impact on bite victims.

Material and methods:
The study is a retrospective analysis of 25 cases of facial bite injuries treated from January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2024, at the Regional Specialized Children’s Hospital in Olsztyn, Poland. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism, Statistica and MedCalc.

Results and discussion:
The cohort included 9 females and 16 males, with an age range from 3 months to 12 years. Significant differences between gender and age at the time of injury were noted (P = 0.043). Of the 25 patients, 64% of incidents occurred at home, with dogs responsible for 96% of the injuries. Most injuries were superficial; however, severe injuries included large defects of soft tissues, fractures, eye globe trauma or brain edema were noted. Comprehensive treatment is based on debridement, prompt surgical intervention and infection prophylaxis. Nearly all patients (96%) received antibiotic prophylaxis, while 76% received rabies vaccination.

Conclusions:
Animal bites to the face require multidisciplinary care due to potential for severe physical and psychological impacts. This study underscores the potential psychological impact of such trauma and need for preventive education to reduce the incidence of animal bites in children.