[Evaluation of the fall-related trauma cases applied to our pediatric emergency department].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the fall-related trauma cases who were admitted to our pediatric emergency unit.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the files of 161 cases (100 males [62.1%], 61 females [37.9%]) who had sustained falls and were admitted to our pediatric emergency unit. Data on the patients' age, sex, arrival type, type of fall, height fallen, type of injuries, radiological findings and hospitalization rates were investigated.


RESULTS
Of 161 cases mean age was 4.29+/-3.33 years and height fallen was 135+/-95 centimeters. The common types of fall were from furniture (35.4%), stairs (17.4%) and balconies and windows (11.2%). Major injuries included head trauma (84.4%), soft tissue (72.7%) and extremity (37.9%). Thirty cases (18.6%) were hospitalized, while 112 cases (69.6%) were treated as outpatient and 11.8% of them were discharged due to their own demand.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of fall-related injuries in childhood mostly occurs in private houses and head trauma is the most frequent injury. To decrease the frequency of the fall injuries, strategies should include parents' education about the mechanism of falls and increase prevention strategies.
Güzel
Ahmet
A
Department of Pediatrics, Medicine Faculty of Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. ahmetgzl@yahoo.com
Karasalihoğlu
Serap
S
Küçükuğurluoğlu
Yasemin
Y
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D010290:Parents; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology