Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

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Profile of Accidental Fall from Height in Children: One Year Study


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KLE University’s J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
2 Post Graduate Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology KLE University’s J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
     

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In children and young adults, trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially those resulting from fall from height. Study of cases of fall from height will help in the formulation of policies to prevent occurrence of such incidents. In this study, out of 188 cases of accidental fall from height, 43 cases (23%) were of those involving children. Cases involving boys (605%) were more than girls (39.5%). Majority of the victims were in the school going age group (65.1%). Most of the falls occurred in the month of April (16.1%) and between 12 noon to 6 pm (58.1%). Maximum number of falls were from staircase (25.6%) and the most commonly involved region was head and face (60.5%). The overall survival rate was 95% with only two deaths.

Keywords

Fall from Height, Accident, Children, Prevention, Staircase, Mortality.
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  • Profile of Accidental Fall from Height in Children: One Year Study

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Authors

Hareesh S. Gouda
Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, KLE University’s J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India
T. S. Ajaykumar
Post Graduate Dept. of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology KLE University’s J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India

Abstract


In children and young adults, trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially those resulting from fall from height. Study of cases of fall from height will help in the formulation of policies to prevent occurrence of such incidents. In this study, out of 188 cases of accidental fall from height, 43 cases (23%) were of those involving children. Cases involving boys (605%) were more than girls (39.5%). Majority of the victims were in the school going age group (65.1%). Most of the falls occurred in the month of April (16.1%) and between 12 noon to 6 pm (58.1%). Maximum number of falls were from staircase (25.6%) and the most commonly involved region was head and face (60.5%). The overall survival rate was 95% with only two deaths.

Keywords


Fall from Height, Accident, Children, Prevention, Staircase, Mortality.

References