title: Children`s falls from heights in Ahwaz, Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiology of children`s falls in Ahwaz, Iran and to suggest its possible causes and preventive measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one-year study was carried out in Ahwaz, Iran in 1999. All children aged 0-15 years who were taken to the accident and emergency (A&E) departments of all urban hospitals because of a vertical fall from heights were investigated. All parents of children were interviewed by using a questionnaire that included demographic and fall characteristic information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the year of study, 2403 fall injuries were admitted to A&E departments, comprising 10.1% of all children`s injuries. There were 64.5% boys and 35.5% girls. Patients ranged in age from 5 months to 15 years (mean 5.9 years), and were distributed equally between Fars and Arabs. The most frequent falls originated from windows and roofs (32.6%), from stairs (24.6%), and from playground equipment (9.3%). Many fall injuries took place at or near the home (77.5%), and involved the head (71.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of targeted information and safety regulations could be an essential effort for reducing the incidence of children`s falls from heights. This requires educating the parents to the hazards of falls and to mandate safer housing.
authors: The Medical School, Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran. Tel. +98 (611) 3363312. Fax. +98 (611) 3361544/3335200. E-mail: hsoori@yahoo.com.
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Soori