POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF FALL INJURIES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS RESULTING IN HOSPITALIZATION OR DEATH

Objective. To determine the incidence and characteristics of fall-rela ted injuries to children and adolescents. Design. Population-based stu dy. Setting. All hospital discharges in Washington State for fall-rela ted injuries in 1989 and 1990. Population. Children and adolescents 19 years and younger. Results. Falls accounted for nearly one third of a ll trauma admissions, and fall patients tended to be younger than thos e with other injuries. Falls from one level to another accounted for 4 0% of the total. One fourth of all patients and 42% of preschoolers su stained head injury. The annual cost of these injuries in Washington S tate was $4.5 million.