Accidental injuries in children in day-care centers

A telephone survey of all licensed group day-care centers serving 2- to 6-year-old children in Maryland was conducted to determine the rate of injuries, their nature, and the circumstances of occurrence. Eighty-two percent of the 523 operating centers were contacted. Two centers declined to participate. Twenty-nine injuries were reported. A total of 18,728 children were surveyed (children who attended half a day were given half credit per day) or 92,640 child-days. Yearly injury rates of 7.02% for medically attended injuries, 4.29% for injuries limiting activity, and a total yearly injury rate of 11.30% were calculated. This general injury rate was similar to incidence figures from a non-day-care center injury study. This lack of improvement in injury rates in licensed day care is of concern and deserves increased attention from pediatricians.