OBJECTIVE: To identify the pattern and severity of injury associated with stairway-related falls in children. METHODS: During a 2-year period, all children less than 5 years of age presenting to the University of Virginia Pediatric Emergency Department with a stairway-related injury were prospectively studied. At the time of the emergency department visit, demographic and epidemiologic information was obtained. Injuries were assigned E codes and N codes. A Modified Injury Severity Scale (MISS) score was calculated for each child. Excluded from the study were children with suspected intentional trauma and children with walker-related stairway injuries. RESULTS: Sixty-nine children were enrolled in the study. The median age was 2 years. Head and neck injuries occurred in 90% of the patients, extremity injuries in 6%, and truncal injuries in 4%. Injury to more than one body region did not occur. The majority of injuries were minor. Ninety-six percent had a total MISS score < or = 2. Fifteen patients (22%) suffered significant injuries, including concussion in 11 (16%), skull fracture in 5 (7%), cerebral contusion in 2 (3%), subdural hematoma in 1 (1%), and a C-2 fracture in 1 (1%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of stairway-related injuries are minor. Injuries to the head and neck region predominate. Injuries to multiple body regions are rare. However, significant stairway-related injuries may be more common than previously reported.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the pattern and severity of injury associated with stairway-related falls in children. METHODS: During a 2-year period, all children less than 5 years of age presenting to the University of Virginia Pediatric Emergency Department with a stairway-related injury were prospectively studied. At the time of the emergency department visit, demographic and epidemiologic information was obtained. Injuries were assigned E codes and N codes. A Modified Injury Severity Scale (MISS) score was calculated for each child. Excluded from the study were children with suspected intentional trauma and children with walker-related stairway injuries. RESULTS: Sixty-nine children were enrolled in the study. The median age was 2 years. Head and neck injuries occurred in 90% of the patients, extremity injuries in 6%, and truncal injuries in 4%. Injury to more than one body region did not occur. The majority of injuries were minor. Ninety-six percent had a total MISS score < or = 2. Fifteen patients (22%) suffered significant injuries, including concussion in 11 (16%), skull fracture in 5 (7%), cerebral contusion in 2 (3%), subdural hematoma in 1 (1%), and a C-2fracture in 1 (1%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of stairway-related injuries are minor. Injuries to the head and neck region predominate. Injuries to multiple body regions are rare. However, significant stairway-related injuries may be more common than previously reported.
Authors: Arabinda Kumar Choudhary; Sabah Servaes; Thomas L Slovis; Vincent J Palusci; Gary L Hedlund; Sandeep K Narang; Joëlle Anne Moreno; Mark S Dias; Cindy W Christian; Marvin D Nelson; V Michelle Silvera; Susan Palasis; Maria Raissaki; Andrea Rossi; Amaka C Offiah Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2018-05-23
Authors: Andrew T Pennock; George D Gantsoudes; Jennifer L Forbes; Amanda M Asaro; Scott J Mubarak Journal: J Child Orthop Date: 2014-01-28 Impact factor: 1.548