Comparison of injuries to children with and without disabilities in a day-care center

Injury rates and characteristics of children with and without disabilities in separate day-care programs were studied retrospectively through a record review of injury logs. The study focused on three issues: (1) initial injury rates and multiple injury rates, with comparisons by gender and program; (2) the characteristics of children who were injured compared to those who were not injured; and (3) comparisons between programs on characteristics and consequences of injuries. Injury rates were calculated on the basis of children's exposure time in the day-care setting. Results showed that children with disabilities had higher rates of injury than those without disabilities. Injury prevention in day care should be tailored to the characteristics of children and the types of injuries that occur in this setting.