Injury in Children with Developmental Disorders: A 1:1 Nested Case-Control Study Using Multiple Datasets in Taiwan

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Limited national-level research exists on predictors of child injuries among children with developmental disorders in Asia.
• Understanding these risk factors is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk factors associated with child injuries in children with developmental disorders.
• To utilize a comprehensive national-level integrated database in Taiwan for robust analysis.

Main Methods:

• A 1:1 nested case-control study design was employed, comparing injured children with non-injured children.
• Data were sourced from multiple Taiwanese national databases (2004-2015), including health and census registries.
• The study included over 2.1 million children under 12 years old with emergency room or hospitalization records.

Main Results:

• Indigenous children showed a 1.51 times higher risk of injury.
• Children with developmental disorders had a 1.74 times higher risk of injury.
• Parental history of illicit drug use (AOR: 1.48), alcohol abuse (AOR: 1.21), and mental illness (AOR: 1.43) were significant risk factors for child injuries.

Conclusions:

• Being indigenous, having developmental disorders, and parental substance abuse or mental illness are significant predictors of child injuries.
• These findings underscore the need for integrated support systems addressing developmental, social, and familial factors to prevent child injuries.