Citation

Shields BJ, Burkett E, Smith GA. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 2011; 29(2): 174-180.

Affiliation

Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2009.08.023

PMID

20825783

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls from heights are common in urban areas in the United States. This study describes the epidemiology of balcony fall-related injuries requiring emergency department (ED) treatment among children and adults in the United States from 1990 through 2006. METHODS: In 2009, a retrospective analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was conducted to describe the epidemiology of balcony fall-related injuries. RESULTS: An estimated 86 500 (95% confidence interval [CI], 68 400-104 600) balcony fall-related injuries were treated in US hospital EDs from 1990 through 2006; 70% of cases were male; 63% were adults (≥18 years old); 94% of injury events occurred at home; 24% of patients were hospitalized; and 8 patients died. The rate of balcony fall-related injuries among children decreased significantly during 1990 to 2006 and was similar to that of adults by the end of the study period. Fall heights ranged from 5 to 87.5 ft. Structural failure of the balcony was involved in an estimated 5600 cases. Patients younger than 18 years were more likely to sustain a concussion/closed head injury (relative risk, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.84-3.18) or skull fracture (relative risk, 5.86; 95% CI, 2.58-13.30) than adults. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of balcony fall-related injuries requiring emergency treatment using a nationally representative sample. Balcony falls are an important cause of injury in the United States. Age, male sex, and warm months of the year were associated with balcony fall-related injuries in our study population.

Language: en