Falls from heights: a problem not just in the northeast

Abstract

Background: Falls from windows and balconies have long been recognized as a health hazard facing children in large, eastern cities. No study has explored this problem in western and sunbelt states.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of children admitted to a large, west coast hospital for injuries sustained secondary to a fall from a building was conducted. The health care costs for injuries secondary to falls were estimated by reviewing Los Angeles County hospital discharge data over a 3-year period. Representative cities in western and sunbelt states were surveyed about their building code regulations for windows and balconies.

Results: Ninety-three children fell from windows and 58 from other structures (balconies, fire escapes, and roofs). The fall victims were more likely to be male (male-female ratio, 1.6:1), younger than 3 years old, and playing at the time of the fall. In more than 70% of the cases reviewed, the child fell from a second-story window. Morbidity was significant, with two thirds of children experiencing at least one fracture and more than 30% of the children requiring the intensive care unit. The mortality rate was low (0.7%); however, 10% were left neurologically impaired. The cost for hospitalization was approximately $5000 to $8000 per child. The survey revealed a lack of building code regulations for windows or window guards in western and sunbelt states.

Conclusions: Falls from windows are a significant problem for children, not only in eastern cities, but throughout the nation. Morbidity is significant, even from less than three stories, and the health care cost is high. Preventive strategies are suboptimal.