Pediatric Accidental Non-Fatal Injuries

• Every 1.5 minutes an infant 0-12 months is evaluated in an ED for nonfatal unintentional injuries
• “Falls” are the leading cause of injuries in all age groups (0-12mos)
  • account for ~51% of ED visits in this group
  • Only 2.6% required hospitalization
• “Drowning” was the least common cause of ED visit (0.2%), but
  • accounts for ~47% of the hospitalizations in this group
• “Poisoning” had a bimodal distribution between 0-12 months
  • more commonly seen in 1-3 mos (likely due to parents or siblings) and
  • also in 7mos to 12 mos (likely because of the kids – age when they put things in mouth)

References

Karin A. Mack, Julie Gilchrist, Michael F. Ballesteros. Injuries Among Infants Treated in Emergency Departments in the United States, 2001—2004. Pediatrics; May 1 2008; 121 (5), 930-937.