Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

27.1K

Falls from height in children: epidemiology and outcome

Kar Yee Catrin Kong1, Lai Peng Tham1,2

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.

Singapore Medical Journal
|February 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Childhood falls from heights, especially from home windows, are a significant cause of severe injury and death. Preventive measures in residential buildings are crucial to reduce pediatric fall risks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Injury Prevention
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood injury is a major global health concern, with falls ranking as the sixth leading cause of death.
  • Falls from height pose a significant risk to children, necessitating targeted research into their causes and consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the demographics, injury patterns, and risk factors associated with pediatric falls from heights exceeding 3 meters in Singapore.
  • To identify specific scenarios, such as falls from windows, that contribute to severe outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study analyzed data from pediatric patients under 18 who presented to a tertiary hospital emergency department after falls from >= 3 meters between 2011 and 2017.
  • Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographic information and injury details.

Main Results:

  • 149 children met the inclusion criteria; 69.1% were boys with a median age of 10 years.
  • Falls from home windows were a common cause of severe injury and the sole cause of mortality (2 deaths, 1.3%).
  • 56.4% of children were admitted, with 3.4% requiring intensive care and 7.4% needing surgery.

Conclusions:

  • Falls from home windows represent a critical cause of mortality in pediatric fall injuries.
  • Fall height is a significant predictor of morbidity, correlating with the need for higher levels of hospital care.
  • Implementing safety measures in high-rise residential buildings is essential to prevent pediatric falls from heights.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion10:31

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion

Published on: September 25, 2014

13.4K
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury09:49

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: January 20, 2023

3.2K

Related Concept Videos

Flail Chest-I01:24

Flail Chest-I

Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
186
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
1.6K
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
20.5K
Acute Respiratory Failure-I01:21

Acute Respiratory Failure-I

Acute respiratory failure is a condition characterized by the inability of the lungs to perform their primary function: gas exchange. This failure leads to insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxemia) in the blood, elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia), or both, causing critical impairment in organ function.
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
208
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
169
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
238