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Fall-related traumatic brain injury in children ages 0-4 years
Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa1, Tadesse Haileyesus2, Julie Gilchrist1
1Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
Insights
Falls cause most traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in young children. This study analyzed national data to understand fall circumstances, identifying home environments and products linked to these injuries in children under five.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Traumatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Falls are the primary cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children aged 0-4 years.
- Limited research exists on the specific circumstances of fall-related TBIs in this young age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide national estimates of fall-related TBIs in children under five.
- To describe the actions and products associated with these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) from 2001-2013.
- Coded case narratives for fall-related actions and abstracted product codes for location and type.
- Applied weighted estimates to a nationally representative sample of emergency department data.
Main Results:
- An estimated 139,001 children under five were treated annually for nonfatal, unintentional fall-related TBIs.
- Child actions like running were frequent causes, while actions by others (e.g., carrying) were prominent in infants under one.
- Most falls occurred in the home, involving surfaces, fixtures, furniture, and baby products.
Conclusions:
- Fall-related TBI in young children is a significant public health issue.
- Preventive strategies should focus on parental supervision and home safety modifications.
- Healthcare professionals should educate parents on creating safe environments and safe carrying practices to prevent falls.
Introduction:
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for children in the 0-4 year age group. There is limited literature pertaining to fall-related TBIs in children age 4 and under and the circumstances surrounding these TBIs. This study provides a national estimate and describes actions and products associated with fall-related TBI in this age group.
Method:
Data analyzed were from the 2001-2013 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP), a nationally representative sample of emergency departments (ED). Case narratives were coded for actions associated with the fall, and product codes were abstracted to determine fall location and product type. All estimates were weighted.
Results:
An estimated 139,001 children younger than 5 years were treated annually in EDs for nonfatal, unintentional fall-related TBI injuries (total = 1,807,019 during 2001-2013). Overall, child actions (e.g., running) accounted for the greatest proportion of injuries and actions by others (e.g., carrying) was highest for children younger than 1 year. The majority of falls occurred in the home, and involved surfaces, fixtures, furniture, and baby products.
Conclusions:
Fall-related TBI in young children represents a significant public health burden. The majority of children seen for TBI assessment in EDs were released to home. Prevention efforts that target parent supervision practices and the home environment are indicated. Practical applications: Professionals in contact with parents of young children can remind them to establish a safe home and be attentive to the environment when carrying young children to prevent falls.
