title: TV tip-over morbidity and mortality in children.
abstract: Twenty-eight non-fatal cases of TV related injuries were noted in San Diego in the 2 years prior to September 2008. We reviewed the scene, witness reports, past history, and autopsy findings from three fatal cases and distinguished them from abusive head trauma. The recent literature was also reviewed. Our fatal cases resulted from TVs falling on small children and causing severe head injury. The literature review showed increasing injuries and deaths relating to TV tip-over, TV stands and dressers. Most of the fatalities were head injuries in small children. The reporting methods may not be complete or accurate. Some authors in the literature review suggested preventive measures so as to decrease these injuries. Forensic scientists should become familiar with these injuries and measures so that they may communicate effectively with their communities.
authors.affiliation: San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. plattmsp@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marvin S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009336:Necrosis; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D020206:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic / Q000473:pathology; D013690:Television