Epidemiology of balcony fall-related injuries, United States, 1990-2006.
BACKGROUND
Falls from heights are common in urban areas in the United States. This study describes the epidemiology of balcony fall-related injuries requiring emergency department (ED) treatment among children and adults in the United States from 1990 through 2006.


METHODS
In 2009, a retrospective analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was conducted to describe the epidemiology of balcony fall-related injuries.


RESULTS
An estimated 86,500 (95% confidence interval [CI], 68,400-104,600) balcony fall-related injuries were treated in US hospital EDs from 1990 through 2006; 70% of cases were male; 63% were adults (≥18 years old); 94% of injury events occurred at home; 24% of patients were hospitalized; and 8 patients died. The rate of balcony fall-related injuries among children decreased significantly during 1990 to 2006 and was similar to that of adults by the end of the study period. Fall heights ranged from 5 to 87.5 ft. Structural failure of the balcony was involved in an estimated 5600 cases. Patients younger than 18 years were more likely to sustain a concussion/closed head injury (relative risk, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.84-3.18) or skull fracture (relative risk, 5.86; 95% CI, 2.58-13.30) than adults.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study of balcony fall-related injuries requiring emergency treatment using a nationally representative sample. Balcony falls are an important cause of injury in the United States. Age, male sex, and warm months of the year were associated with balcony fall-related injuries in our study population.
Shields
Brenda J
BJ
Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. brenda.shields@nationwidechildrens.org
Burkett
Elizabeth
E
Smith
Gary A
GA
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult