[Non-traumatic unintentional injuries and risk factors for hospitalization in children presenting to a pediatric emergency department].
OBJECTIVE
Unintentional injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The authors present the results of a study in which data was collected regarding unintentional injuries presented to the Pediatrics Emergency Department (PED) at Ha'Emek Medical Center. The present study represents the first collection and analysis of such data gathered from the Pediatric Emergency Department in Northern Israel.


METHODS
This was a prospective study in which data was collected regarding children who presented with non-traumatic unintentional injuries to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) between the years 2000 and 2002. The injuries presented included poisoning, aspiration and swallowing of foreign bodies, smoke inhalation and near drowning. Data collected included the type of injury, location and time of the accident, and data regarding the child and his family. The authors examined the association between variables in order to identify the risk factors for hospitalization.


RESULTS
Of 412 children, 59% were males and 41% were females. Seventy-three percent of all accidents happened in the child's home or yard, and 36.5% occurred during the summer. Poisoning was the most common unintentional injury (61% of cases) and house cleaning material was the most common source of poisoning. The probability of hospitalization was higher for the following situations: aspiration of foreign bodies, injuries that occurred during the summer, children of Arab ethnicity and patients presenting to the hospital at night.


CONCLUSIONS
This study presents initial data regarding these types of injuries from the Jezreel Valley. These data may help establish and target prevention programs.
Pediatrics Emergency Department, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. Sharon.brosilow@gmail.com
Sharon
S
Brosilow
Dan
D
Miron
Lilach
L
Malezkey
Goor
G
Zamir
Osnat
O
Naor
Aziz
A
Darawsha
Judith
J
Antonelli
D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology