Citation

Thélo B, Rigou A, Bonaldi C, Ricard C, Meyer P. Sante Publique 2006; 18(4): 523-532.

Vernacular Title

Epidemiologie des chutes accidentelles de grande hauteur chez les enfants en

Affiliation

Département maladies chroniques et traumatismes, Institut de veille sanitaire, 12, rue du Val d'Osne, 94415 Saint Maurice, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SFSP)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17294756

Abstract

A survey conducted between May and September 2005 in the Paris Region collected 67 cases of accidental "falls from heights" among the children under the age of 15. Most of the injured children were under the age of 6 (72%), the majority were boys (72%). More than halve of the children's families were from extra European origin, mostly from Subsaharian Africa. In 32% of the cases, the fall occurred as the opening had a protection. A piece of furniture was in place beneath the window or was disposed by the child in 55% of the cases; 33% of the children climbed the parapet or the opening. In third of the falls, there was an adult present with the child in the room. Seven children died (10%) and eight (12%) had sequalea. The risk of fall due to the lack of surveillance is not enough known by adults. It is therefore recommended to organise prevention campaigns. To prevent falls, one should revise the regulations for building the parapets and the mechanisms for opening the windows.

Language: fr