title: Ethnic differences in the epidemiological characteristics of severe trauma due to falls from heights among children in northern Israel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the western world, trauma is the leading cause of disability and mortality in the 1-39 years age group. Road accidents constitute the most frequent cause of mortality among children older than 1 year and falls from heights are the most frequent cause of injuries requiring hospitalization.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the epidemiology and characteristics of severe pediatric trauma due to falls from a height in northern Israel. This analysis should aid in planning an effective intervention plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study included all patients aged 0-14 who died or were admitted to an intensive care unit in northern Israel following a fall from a height. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively for 3 years and prospectively for 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 188 children were severely injured or died following such a fall, with an annual rate of 11.4 per 100,000 children. Over 85% of severe injuries due to falls occurred among non-Jewish children, with an incidence rate 6.36 times higher than among Jewish children (20.17 and 3.17 per 100,000 children, respectively). In the non-Jewish sector 93.7% of the falls occurred at or around the child's home, mainly from staircases, balconies and roofs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A very high incidence of severe trauma due to domestic falls from a height was found among non-Jewish children in northern Israel. Domestic falls represent an important epidemiological problem in the non-Jewish pediatric sector, and an effective prevention plan should include measures to modify parents' attitudes towards safety issues and the creation of a safe domestic environment.
authors: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors: Naomi
authors: N
authors: Bar-Joseph
authors: Gad
authors: G
authors: Rennert
authors: Ada
authors: A
authors: Tamir
authors: Liora
authors: L
authors: Ore
authors: Gad
authors: G
authors: Bar-Joseph
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007585:Jews / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male