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Pediatric Window Falls: Factors Related to Clinical Outcomes Within a State Trauma Registry
Laura Waagmeester1, David Sheridan1, Amber Lin2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Pediatric window falls are common in Portland, Oregon, with most children falling from second-story windows. Mapping identified injury clusters, suggesting targeted prevention strategies for these high-risk areas.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma
- Injury Prevention
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Accidental injuries are a significant cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality.
- Unintentional window falls are a common, yet preventable, cause of pediatric emergency department visits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the demographics and characteristics of pediatric window falls in Portland, Oregon.
- To identify geographic clusters of pediatric window fall injuries within the Portland metropolitan area.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of children treated at Portland trauma centers for unintentional window falls (2005-2016).
- Visuospatial mapping using specific fall addresses to identify injury clusters.
Main Results:
- 399 pediatric patients included; median age 3 years, 66% male.
- Most falls (84%) were from second-story windows; 1% mortality.
- Hard surface landing and witnessed loss of consciousness were associated with severe injury.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric window fall demographics align with previous studies in major metropolitan areas.
- Visuospatial mapping identified geographic clusters for targeted prevention efforts.
- While mortality is low, many children require significant medical workup and hospitalization.
