Infant-furniture-related injuries among preschool children in New Zealand, 1987-1996.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiology of infant-furniture-related fatalities and hospitalizations in New Zealand, for children aged 0-4 years.


METHODS
Infant-furniture-related deaths and hospitalizations were selected from the New Zealand Health Information Service databases for the 10-year period 1987-1996. Intentional injuries were excluded.


RESULTS
Forty-three fatalities were identified. Twenty-two fatalities (51%) occurred in cots, while 13 (30%) occurred in beds. Other products involved were prams, push chairs, high chairs, car seats, portable cots and walkers. A total of 1679 infants were hospitalized through infant-furniture-related injuries. Increasing trends in hospitalizations for baby walkers, beds and bunks were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
On average, four infants die each year from injuries related to infant furniture, and hospitalizations from injuries associated with infant furniture use are increasing. Mandatory standards are one measure to reduce these numbers, but education is also necessary.
Morrison
L
L
Injury Prevention Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Chalmers
D J
DJ
Parry
M L
ML
Wright
C S
CS
D001512:Bedding and Linens; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality