Fatal head injuries in ground-level falls.
We analyzed 75 cases of fatal ground-level falls that were investigated by the King County Medical Examiner over a 48-month period, with autopsies performed on 87% of the deaths: 69% of the cases were men and 61% occurred in ages > or = 70 years; only 12% were aged < 50 years, with the youngest aged 28 years. Most of the falls occurred in or about the residence, and many individuals were known to have fallen onto hard surfaces. In 77% of cases there was significant pre-existing natural disease, mostly cardiovascular disease. Liver disease was more frequently a contributing factor in those aged < 50 years. Ethanol was present in 48% of those cases tested, more frequently present in men than in women. Basal skull fractures were present in 37% of cases, and acute subdural hematomas, the most common intracranial lesion, were present in 85%. We concluded that fatal ground-level falls were much more common in elderly persons, owing to a greater predisposition to falling, as well as intrinsic age-related changes, including a greater susceptibility to acute subdural hematoma.
Hartshorne
N J
NJ
King County Medical Examiner Office, Seattle/King County Department of Public Health, Washington, USA.
Harruff
R C
RC
Alvord
E C
EC
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012535:Scalp / Q000293:injuries; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology