Lacerations in urban children. A prospective 12-January study
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M D Baker1, S M Selbst, M Lanuti
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
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Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric injury epidemiology
- Environmental and behavioral risk factors for childhood lacerations
Background:
- Lacerations are common pediatric injuries requiring medical attention.
- Understanding injury patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of pediatric lacerations.
- To identify common hazards and potential intervention points for laceration injuries.
Main Methods:
- Prospective investigation of 2834 laceration repairs at a children's hospital in 1987.
- Data collection on patient demographics, injury circumstances, location, and causative agents.
Main Results:
- Most injuries occurred in 2-year-old males, during warmer months (May-September) and afternoon/evening hours (3-9 PM).
- Common locations included indoors, sidewalks/streets, and yards, often during play or falls.
- Broken glass bottles were the most frequent injury vector, also leading to the most severe outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Injury prevention strategies should target discarded glass, furniture safety, and street maintenance.
- Specific interventions can reduce the incidence and severity of pediatric lacerations.
Abstract:
We prospectively investigated the epidemiologic characteristics of all lacerations (N = 2834) repaired at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Pa) during 1987 and identified common hazards and possible avenues of intervention. Two-year-old children incurred most injuries; males outnumbered females 2:1. Almost two thirds (61.8%) of all lacerations occurred from May through September, and 62.2% between 3 and 9 PM. Most injuries occurred indoors (47.0%), on the sidewalk or street (22.5%), or in the residential yard (13.0%). Injuries usually occurred during play (42.3%) or daily activity (32.1%); 1247 (44.0%) involved some sort of fall. Vectors most frequently causing injury were broken glass bottles (15.0%), wooden furniture (12.0%), and asphalt or concrete (11.0%). Broken glass bottles also most frequently inflicted injuries resulting in functional impairment (0.2%), hospitalization (0.9%), or both. Complications were seen in 8% of all lacerations. Our data confirm the importance of injury-prevention strategies aimed at reduction of discarded glass objects (ie, recycling legislation), improved furniture design, and improved municipal services (ie, street repair).