Windows 99: A source of suburban pediatric trauma

Background: Falls from windows in urban areas cause a significant number of pediatric injuries, Window falls have not been well described in the nonur ban setting. We describe the epidemiology of window falls from residential homes among pediatric patients at a suburban Level I trauma center, Methods: A review of patients admitted from January 1991 through November 1 999 to a center serving a rapidly growing suburban area was performed. Results:A total of 2,322 children, ages 0-14 years, were admitted during th e study period. Falls comprised 41% of these admissions, and 11% of falls w ere from windows, greater than twice the national average, More than 39% of children who fell from windows were admitted directly to the intensive car e unit. Overall mortality rate was 4%, Ages 0 to 4 years comprised the larg est percentage (83%), and all children who died were in this age group. Chi ldren less than or equal to 4 years were more likely to have an Abbreviated Injury Score greater than or equal to 2 (head injury) than those ages 10 t o 14 years (p = 0.032). More than 31% of all children injured in window fal ls seen at the study institution between 1991 and 1999 were admitted in the last 2 years. Conclusion: Pediatric falls from windows in this suburban area appear to be increasing, with an incidence greater than the national average. Children at greatest risk are less than 4 years old. Further research in injury prev ention at the national level aimed at suburban areas may be warranted.