Home Is Not Always Safe: Pediatric Unintentional Home Injuries in a Tertiary Emergency Department Setting

Background/Objectives: Unintentional home injuries (UHIs) are a major yet preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among children. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics, injury mechanisms, and clinical outcomes of pediatric UHIs over a nine-year period in Türkiye. Methods: This retrospective study included all children under 18 years who were diagnosed with UHIs in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) of a tertiary university hospital between January 2016 and November 2024. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, imaging findings, surgical interventions, hospitalizations, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admissions were statistically analyzed. Results: Among 852,090 PED visits, 12,327 (1.4%) were diagnosed with UHIs. Most patients were younger than five years (72.1%) and male (56.8%). The leading causes were falls/collisions (60.6%), burns (12.1%), and foreign body aspirations (10.4%). Hospitalization and PICU admission rates were 11.7% and 1.2%, respectively, mainly involving children aged 2-4 years. Younger age and corrosive ingestion were independent predictors of hospitalization, while burns, falls/collisions, corrosive ingestion, poisoning, and foreign body aspiration significantly increased PICU admission risk. A marked rise in both hospital and PICU admissions was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two fatalities occurred following falls. Conclusions: Falls, burns, and foreign body aspirations were the most common causes of pediatric UHIs, predominantly affecting children aged 2-4 years. Strengthening caregiver supervision, promoting safer home environments, and implementing targeted prevention programs are essential to reduce their impact on children and healthcare systems.