Traumatic brain injury in children between 7-12 years of age.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the amount of traumatic brain injuries among children in the western part of Sweden.


METHODS
Based on a randomized controlled study, a retrospective analysis was conducted of data for children of 257 children 7-12 years of age. The journals were collected from 1997-2000.


RESULTS
The results showed that the most common causes were play and sports and that the accidents occurred in the school environment in the afternoon, whilst the least amount of accidents took place in the home. Nearly half of all the children were admitted to the hospital. Most accidents occurred in March and the least number of accidents occurred during the summer months.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention strategies are needed, especially for play and sport activities in recreation centres and playgrounds. These places are a high risk in causing a TBI for children after a day at school.
Elgmark Andersson
Elisabeth
E
Jönköping University, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden.
Lund
Josefinne
J
Månsson
Josefinne
J
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012621:Seasons; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors