Differential ranking of causes of fatal versus non-fatal injuries among US children.
OBJECTIVE
Leading causes of fatal and non-fatal injury among US children aged <15 years were compared.


METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted using nationally representative data on injury related deaths (National Vital Statistics System) and on non-fatal injury related emergency department visits (IEDV; National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program). Data were accessed using a publicly available web based system.


RESULTS
Annually, an estimated 7100000 pediatric IEDV and 7400 injury deaths occurred. The overall non-fatal to fatal ratio (NF:F) was 966 IEDV:1 death. Among deaths, the leading causes were motor vehicle traffic occupants (n = 1700; NF:F = 150:1), suffocations (n = 1037; NF:F = 14:1), and drownings (n = 971, NF:F = 6:1). Among non-fatal injuries, falls (estimated 2400000) and struck by/against (estimated 1800000) were the most common causes, but substantially less lethal (NF:F = 19000:1 and 15000:1, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The leading causes of pediatric fatal and non-fatal injuries differed substantially. This study indicates the need for consideration of common causes of non-fatal injury, especially falls.
Ballesteros
M F
MF
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. mballesteros@cdc.gov
Schieber
R A
RA
Gilchrist
J
J
Holmgreen
P
P
Annest
J L
JL
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004332:Drowning / Q000401:mortality; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control