Pediatric injuries attributable to falls from windows in the United States in 1990-2008.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the epidemiological features of pediatric injuries related to falls from windows.

METHODS:

By using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, emergency department (ED) data for pediatric injury cases associated with window falls in 1990-2008 were reviewed.

RESULTS:

An estimated 98 415 children (95% confidence interval [CI]: 82 416-114 419) were treated in US hospital EDs for window fall-related injuries during the 19-year study period (average: 5180 patients per year [95% CI: 4828-5531]). The mean age of children was 5.1 years, and boys accounted for 58.1% of cases. One-fourth (25.4%) of the patients required admission to the hospital. The annual injury rate decreased significantly during the study period because of a decrease in the annual injury rate among 0- to 4-year-old children. Children 0 to 4 years of age were more likely to sustain head injuries (injury proportion ratio [IPR]: 3.22 [95% CI: 2.65-3.91]) and to be hospitalized or to die (IPR: 1.65 [95% CI: 1.38-1.97]) compared with children 5 to 17 years of age. Children who landed on hard surfaces were more likely to sustain head injuries (IPR: 2.05 [95% CI: 1.53-2.74]) and to be hospitalized or to die (IPR: 2.23 [95% CI: 1.57-3.17]) compared with children who landed on cushioning surfaces.

CONCLUSIONS:

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate window fall-related injuries treated in US hospital EDs by using a nationally representative sample. These injuries are an important pediatric public health problem, and increased prevention efforts are needed, including development and evaluation of innovative prevention programs.

• Authors: Vaughn A Harris, Lynne M Rochette, Gary A Smith
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 128 Issue 3 Pg. 455-62 (Sep 2011) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21859909 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Accidental Falls (prevention & control, statistics & numerical data)
• Accidents, Home (statistics & numerical data)
• Adolescent
• Age Distribution
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Craniocerebral Trauma (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Emergency Service, Hospital (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Humans
• Lower Extremity (injuries)
• Male
• Risk-Taking
• Seasons
• Soft Tissue Injuries (epidemiology)
• Torso (injuries)
• United States (epidemiology)
• Upper Extremity (injuries)
• Wounds and Injuries (epidemiology)