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Profile of accidents in children
1Department of Pediatrics, Surgery, S.N. Medical College, Agra.
Insights
Childhood accidents, particularly falls and road traffic incidents, are a significant concern, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Modifying the home environment is crucial for preventing these common childhood injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Accidents are a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding the epidemiology of childhood accidents is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, causes, and outcomes of childhood accidents admitted to S.N. Hospital, Agra.
- To identify environmental risk factors contributing to childhood accidents.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 716 childhood accident cases admitted over one year.
- Data collection on patient demographics, accident type, location, environmental factors, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Falls (44.4%) and road traffic accidents (26.4%) were the most common causes.
- Accidents were most frequent in 4-9 year olds, with boys affected more than girls.
- Home (58.7%) and street (30.3%) were the primary locations; kerosene ingestion was the most common poisoning.
Conclusions:
- Falls and traffic accidents represent the highest incidence and mortality in childhood injuries.
- Environmental modifications, especially within the home, can significantly reduce childhood accidents.
Abstract:
Out of 5031 children admitted to S.N. Hospital, Agra during one year, there were 716 cases (14.2%) of accidents. Most cases were in the age group of 4-9 years; boys were affected more commonly than girls. The maximum cases occurred due to fall (44.4%), followed by road traffic accidents (26.4%) and burns (11.5%). The consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality was also high. Kerosene oil ingestion was the most common encountered form of poisoning. Incriminating environmental factors could be identified in 51.8% cases and included poorly protected roofs (23.7%), poor state of roads (10.0%), defective vehicles (7.5%), and houses opening directly on the streets (7.3%). More than half of the accidents took place at home (58.7%), followed by those on streets (30.3%) or at farmhouses (57%). Injuries caused by sharp and blunt objects were more common in villages. Only 21.4% children had received first aid, often by the family, before reaching the hospital. The overall mortality rate was 53.1/1000, but in cases of burns the mortality was (146.3/1000). This study suggests that falls and traffic accidents have the highest incidence and mortality in childhood accidents and modification of the home environment can be an effective measure to prevent such incidents.