Preschool behavior problems and subsequent risk of injury

The hospital records of 951 children from a previously established birth cohort for which behavioral and extensive background information was available were checked for 3 years following the fifth birthday of the youngest child. The aim was to determine whether children with certain specific behavior disorders had a higher rate of injury than those without. Although the predicted relationships between overactive behavior, decreased concentration, and injury rate were not found, the hypothesis of an increased risk of injury for boys and for children with discipline problems was confirmed. Also, the association between male sex and injury remained after controlling for the behavior variables related to injury. In general, some support was found for the suggestion of increased risk of injury among children who have specific behavior problems, although, contrary to widespread belief, this relationship accounts for only a small percentage of the injuries found in the cohort. Moreover, the relationship is modified by maternal characteristics and by the sex of the child. Unexpectedly, encopresis and marked fears were found to be risk factors for injury, although these effects were relatively small.