Falls in Children Birth to 5 Years: Different Mechanisms Lead to Different Injuries | Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Falls are the most common cause of injury-related hospitalization in children younger than 5 years old. Most anticipatory guidance surrounding falls is around falls from windows or stairs; however, falls from furniture also are important causes of morbidity. The purpose of this study was to compare the number of children injured, ages of injured children, and injuries sustained in falls from furniture and falls from stairs in hospitalized children younger than 5 years. Falls from furniture and stairs are important causes of morbidity in children. More children were hospitalized for falls from furniture than from stairs. Falls down stairs are decreasing while falls off furniture are increasing. More anticipatory guidance should be developed and given to families regarding falls from furniture to help prevent these injuries.

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• Falls