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. 2003 Jun;9(2):173-6.
doi: 10.1136/ip.9.2.173.

Differential ranking of causes of fatal versus non-fatal injuries among US children

M F Ballesteros  1 , R A Schieber, J Gilchrist, P Holmgreen, J L Annest
Affiliations

Differential ranking of causes of fatal versus non-fatal injuries among US children

M F Ballesteros et al. Inj Prev. 2003 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Leading causes of fatal and non-fatal injury among US children aged <15 years were compared.

Method: A descriptive study was conducted using nationally representative data on injury related deaths (National Vital Statistics System) and on non-fatal injury related emergency department visits (IEDV; National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program). Data were accessed using a publicly available web based system.

Results: Annually, an estimated 7100000 pediatric IEDV and 7400 injury deaths occurred. The overall non-fatal to fatal ratio (NF:F) was 966 IEDV:1 death. Among deaths, the leading causes were motor vehicle traffic occupants (n = 1700; NF:F = 150:1), suffocations (n = 1037; NF:F = 14:1), and drownings (n = 971, NF:F = 6:1). Among non-fatal injuries, falls (estimated 2400000) and struck by/against (estimated 1800000) were the most common causes, but substantially less lethal (NF:F = 19000:1 and 15000:1, respectively).

Conclusions: The leading causes of pediatric fatal and non-fatal injuries differed substantially. This study indicates the need for consideration of common causes of non-fatal injury, especially falls.

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