The epidemiology of injuries in Atlanta day-care centers.
From June 1987 through May 1988, we collected reports of injuries among 5300 children who attended 71 day-care centers in Atlanta, Ga. One hundred forty-three injuries severe enough for the child to require medical or dental care were reported, including 63 lacerations (44.1%), 23 fractures (16.1%), 5 crush injuries (3.5%), 4 dislocations (2.8%), 2 human bites (1.4%), and 2 concussions (1.4%). The head was the site of 98 (68.5%) injuries. Peak hours for injuries were 11 AM and 4 PM, the peak day was Monday, and the peak season was summer. After adjustment for hours and dates of attendance, the rate was 1.77 injuries per 100,000 child-hours in day care; among preschool-aged children, infants had the lowest rate (0.77) and 2-year-old children had the highest rate (2.26). Almost 47% of injuries occurred on the playground; falls were involved in 70% of such injuries. Because 33% of all injuries resulted from falls on the playground, impact-absorbing playground surfaces may be a possible intervention to reduce injuries.
Sacks
J J
JJ
Division of Injury Epidemiology and Control, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
Smith
J D
JD
Kaplan
K M
KM
Lambert
D A
DA
Sattin
R W
RW
Sikes
R K
RK
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*