Retrospective Cohort Comparison of Fall Height in Children in the Greater Los Angeles Area: Targeting Populations for Injury Prevention

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether falls from significant height occur more frequently in young children. We conducted a 10-year (2004-2014), comparative study using a retrospective cohort of 4713 children (< 18 years) from the Los Angeles county trauma database who were evaluated for a fall. Exposure was fall height, dichotomized into < 10 ft/low-risk fall and > 10 ft/high-risk fall. Primary outcome was age of fall. Secondary outcomes were disposition from emergency department, injuries, resource utilization, and mortality. Of all falls, 4481 (95%) were low-risk and 232 (5%) high-risk. High-risk falls were more frequent in children 1-3 years old (58 vs. 30%, p < 0.01), associated with higher frequency of intracranial hemorrhage (19 vs. 10%, p < 0.01), intubation (11 vs. 1%, p < 0.01), and neurosurgical procedure (2 vs. 0.8%, p = 0.04). There was no difference in mortality (0.86 vs. 0.13%, p = 0.06). In Los Angeles County, children 1-3 years old are most likely to suffer high-risk falls, which are associated with serious injury. Integration of fall prevention education into routine anticipatory guidance should be strongly considered for children 1-3 years old.

Keywords: Injury prevention; Pediatric falls; Unintentional injury.