| Total Number of Injuries |
| A total of 6772 injuries occurred among children aged between 0 and 6 years for the period 2001-2005. |
| Overall Injuries by Year |
| Figure 2 displays the number of injuries from 2001 to 2005 to children aged 0-6 years. During this period, the annual number of injuries decreased by 21.9%.Figure 2. Injuries to children by year of occurence, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
|
| Injuries by Age and Sex |
| The distribution of injuries by age group and sex is presented in Figure 3. The majority of injuries occurred among 1- to 2-year-olds (36.3%), followed by 3- to 4-year-olds (29.9%), then 5- to 6-year-olds (26.0%). Infants under 1 year showed the lowest proportion of injuries, accounting for 7.8% of all injuries. In all age groups, more males than females were injured (58.8%).Figure 3. Number of injuries by age group and gender, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
|
| Injuries by Year, Month, Day and Time by Age Group |
|
The numbers of injuries by year, month, and day of week and time of day for each age category are presented in Figures 4-6.
| Figure 4a. Number of injuries by year of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005 | |
Figure 4a shows the distribution of injuries by year and age group. For age groups 1-2 and 3-4, there was a significant decrease in the number of injuries from 2001 to 2005. However, this should be interpreted with caution as these data exclude injuries seen at the Children's Outpatient Clinic (COPC) in Hotel Dieu Hospital.
Figure 4a. Number of injuries by year of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
Table for Figure 4a. Number of injuries by year of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005|
Age
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
|---|
|
Under 1
|
107
|
108
|
96
|
110
|
108
| |
Ages 1 to 2
|
563
|
552
|
485
|
436
|
419
| |
Ages 3 to 4
|
455
|
437
|
381
|
418
|
335
| |
Ages 4 to 6
|
381
|
419
|
339
|
310
|
313
|
| | Figure 4b. Rates of injuries per 1000 by year of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005 | |
Figure 4b shows the age- specific rate of injuries per 1000 population by year. As in Figure 4a, ages groups 1-2 and 3-4 show a significant decrease in rates of injuries from 2001 to 2005. Again, this should be interpreted with caution as these data exclude injuries seen at the Children's Outpatient Clinic (COPC) in Hotel Dieu Hospital.
Figure 4b. Rates of injuries per 1000 by year of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
Table for Figure 4b. Rates of injuries per 1000 by year of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005|
Age
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
|---|
|
Under 1
|
60
|
63
|
58
|
67
|
62
| |
Ages 1 to 2
|
147
|
149
|
135
|
125
|
122
| |
Ages 3 to 4
|
115
|
112
|
99
|
112
|
92
| |
Ages 4 to 6
|
86
|
99
|
84
|
79
|
81
|
| | Figure 5. Number of injuries by month of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005 | |
Figure 5 shows the distribution of injuries by month and age group. For ages 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6, the number of injuries significantly increases during summer months.
The number of injuries for infants under 1 remains fairly stable over the year.
Figure 5. Number of injuries by month of occurrence and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
| | Figure 6. Number of injuries by day of the week and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005 | |
Figure 6 shows the distribution of injuries by day of the week and age group. For age groups 1-2, 3-4 more injuries occur on the weekend than on any given week day. However, that could be an artefact of doctors' offices and other walk-in or urgent care clinics being closed on weekends. The number of injuries for infants under 1 remains fairly stable over the course of the week.
Figure 6. Number of injuries by day of the week and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
| | Figure 7. Number of injuries by time-of-day and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005 | |
Figure 7 shows the distribution of injuries by time of day and age group. For age groups 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 significantly more injuries occurred between 4 pm and 7 pm. However, it is unclear whether the injury actually occurred during this time period, or if it is a more convenient time for parents to bring their children to the emergency department.
Figure 7. Number of injuries by time-of-day and age group, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
|
|
| External Cause of Injury |
|
Figure 8 shows the external cause of injuries for all age groups and years combined. Over half of all injuries (56.7%) were caused by falls. On page 15, more detailed characteristics of falls are presented. Other common causes were collisions with objects; foreign bodies in eyes, mouths, ears, and noses; and being struck by another person or object.
Figure 8. External Cause of Injury to Children Aged 0-6, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
In Table 2 below, the external cause of injury is presented by age group.
Among infants under 1 year, falls caused 297 injuries (56.1%). There were many other causes of injuries, but each constituted a relatively small proportion of injuries. Motor vehicle collisions caused 33 injuries (6.2%); being struck by a ball, household object or person caused 31 injuries (5.9%); burns caused 26 injuries (4.9%); and collisions with objects caused 26 injuries (4.9%).
In 1- to 2-year olds, falls caused 1480 injuries (60.3%); foreign body in orifice caused 144 injuries (5.9%); and poisonings caused 137 injuries (5.6%).
For older age groups (3-6 years), falls were responsible for most injuries (2063 injuries or 54.5%). The next most common causes were collisions with objects (352 injuries or 9.3%), being struck by another person or object (289 injuries or 7.6%), and foreign body in orifice (255 injuries or 6.7%).
Table 2. External Cause of Injury by Age Group, 2001-2005|
External Cause of Injury
|
Under 1 year (n)
|
Under 1 year %
|
1-2 Years
(n)
|
1-2 Years
%
|
3-4 Years
(n)
|
3-4 Years
%
|
5-6 Years
(n)
|
5-6 Years
%
|
|---|
|
Falls
|
297
|
56.1%
|
1480
|
60.3%
|
1068
|
52.7%
|
995
|
56.5%
| |
Collision with object (summary)
|
26
|
4.9%
|
115
|
4.7%
|
190
|
9.4%
|
162
|
9.2%
| |
Collision with furniture
|
25
|
4.7%
|
99
|
4%
|
129
|
6.4%
|
73
|
4.1%
| |
Collision with outdoor structure/ equipment
|
0
|
0%
|
14
|
0.6%
|
43
|
2.1%
|
73
|
4.1%
| |
Struck by another person or object
|
31
|
5.9%
|
37
|
1.5%
|
145
|
7.2%
|
144
|
8.2%
| |
Motor vehicle collision
|
33
|
6.2%
|
53
|
2.2%
|
49
|
2.4%
|
42
|
2.4%
| |
Road traffic accident
|
|
0%
|
2
|
0.1%
|
12
|
0.6%
|
13
|
0.7%
| |
Foreign body in mouth, nose etc. (summary)
|
17
|
3.2%
|
144
|
5.9%
|
158
|
7.8%
|
97
|
5.5%
| |
Foreign body in mouth
|
10
|
1.9%
|
42
|
1.7%
|
40
|
2.0%
|
20
|
1.1%
| |
Foreign body in nose
|
|
0%
|
58
|
2.4%
|
54
|
2.7%
|
16
|
0.9%
| |
Foreign body in ear
|
4
|
0.8%
|
12
|
0.5%
|
25
|
1.2%
|
26
|
1.5%
| |
Foreign body in eye
|
18
|
3.4%
|
16
|
0.7%
|
25
|
1.2%
|
18
|
1%
| |
Foreign body in other
|
2
|
0.4%
|
16
|
0.7%
|
14
|
0.7%
|
16
|
0.9%
| |
Caught in or between
|
18
|
3.4%
|
85
|
3.5%
|
78
|
3.8%
|
91
|
5.2%
| |
Cutting or piercing
|
11
|
2.1%
|
52
|
2.1%
|
87
|
4.3%
|
91
|
5.2%
| |
Pulled arm/elbow
|
18
|
3.4%
|
137
|
5.6%
|
59
|
2.9%
|
10
|
0.6%
| |
Animal bite/scratch
|
12
|
2.3%
|
52
|
2.1%
|
72
|
3.6%
|
57
|
3.2%
| |
Burn (summary)
|
26
|
4.9%
|
82
|
3.3%
|
34
|
1.7%
|
24
|
1.4%
| |
Burn from hot object
|
12
|
2.3%
|
33
|
1.3%
|
18
|
0.9%
|
10
|
0.6%
| |
Burn from hot liquid/ gas
|
13
|
2.5%
|
37
|
1.5%
|
10
|
0.5%
|
6
|
0.3%
| |
Burn from fire/ flames
|
|
0%
|
6
|
0.2%
|
2
|
0.1%
|
2
|
0.1%
| |
Burn from a chemical
|
2
|
0.4%
|
6
|
0.2%
|
3
|
0.1%
|
1
|
0.1%
| |
Burn from the sun
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
1
|
0%
|
5
|
0.3%
| |
Poisoning (summary)
|
12
|
2.3%
|
137
|
5.6%
|
36
|
1.8%
|
12
|
0.7%
| |
Poisoning from medication
|
4
|
0.8%
|
86
|
3.5%
|
33
|
1.6%
|
7
|
0.4%
| |
Poisoning from chemical, other
|
8
|
1.5%
|
51
|
2.1%
|
3
|
0.1%
|
5
|
0.3%
| |
Asphyxia
|
12
|
2.3%
|
17
|
0.7%
|
8
|
0.4%
|
5
|
0.3%
| |
Asphyxia from choking
|
6
|
1.1%
|
12
|
0.5%
|
4
|
0.2%
|
0
|
0%
| |
Other asphyxia
|
6
|
1.1%
|
5
|
0.2%
|
4
|
0.2%
|
5
|
0.3%
| |
Other injuries
|
16
|
3.0%
|
62
|
2.5%
|
30
|
1.5%
|
20
|
1.1%
| |
Total Number of Injuries
|
529
|
|
2455
|
|
2026
|
|
1762
|
|
|
| Type of Injury |
|
Figure 9 presents the type of injury as a percentage of all injuries, for all age groups combined. The most common injuries were open wounds (31.3%), followed by soft tissue injuries (11.5%) and fractures (11%).
Figure 9. Type of Injury to Children Aged 0-6, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
Table 3 presents the type of injury by age group. Breaking down the results into age categories highlights that for infants under 1 year, minor head injuries are the most common type of injury (20%). The next largest group was that of children in whom no injury was detected (19.8%). For older age groups, one third of all injuries were open wounds (e.g., scrape or cut). Other common injury types were fractures and soft tissue injuries (e.g., sprain or strain).
Table 3. Type of Injury by Age Group, 2001-2005|
Type of Injury
|
Under 1 year
(number)
|
Under 1 year
%
|
1-2 Years
(number)
|
1-2 Years
%
|
3-4 Years
(number)
|
3-4 Years
%
|
5-6 Years
(number)
|
5-6 Years
%
|
|---|
|
Open wound
|
61
|
11.5%
|
726
|
29.6%
|
744
|
36.7%
|
589
|
33.4%
| |
Fracture
|
24
|
4.5%
|
186
|
7.6%
|
241
|
11.9%
|
296
|
16.8%
| |
Soft Tissue Injury
|
56
|
10.6%
|
234
|
9.5%
|
218
|
10.8%
|
267
|
15.2%
| |
Superficial
|
66
|
12.5%
|
203
|
8.3%
|
135
|
6.7%
|
140
|
7.9%
| |
Minor head injury
|
106
|
20%
|
271
|
11%
|
129
|
6.4%
|
93
|
5.3%
| |
Foreign body in mouth, ear, etc.
|
16
|
3%
|
121
|
4.9%
|
143
|
7.1%
|
79
|
4.5%
| |
Bite/scratch
|
5
|
0.9%
|
40
|
1.6%
|
63
|
3.1%
|
47
|
2.7%
| |
Eye injury
|
3
|
0.6%
|
39
|
1.6%
|
33
|
1.6%
|
45
|
2.6%
| |
Burn/Corrosion
|
24
|
4.5%
|
77
|
3.1%
|
29
|
1.4%
|
21
|
1.2%
| |
Pulled elbow
|
14
|
2.6%
|
156
|
6.4%
|
51
|
2.5%
|
13
|
0.7%
| |
Dental injury
|
3
|
0.6%
|
26
|
1.1%
|
24
|
1.2%
|
11
|
0.6%
| |
Poisoning or toxic effect
|
12
|
2.3%
|
127
|
5.2%
|
34
|
1.7%
|
9
|
0.5%
| |
Dislocation
|
5
|
0.9%
|
47
|
1.9%
|
23
|
1.1%
|
6
|
0.3%
| |
No Injury Detected
|
105
|
19.8%
|
92
|
3.7%
|
49
|
2.4%
|
31
|
1.8%
| |
Total
|
529
|
|
2455
|
|
2026
|
|
1762
|
|
|
| Context of Injury |
|
Figure 10 shows the context of injuries for all ages combined. Playing, climbing or dancing at home was the most common context (32.5% of injuries), followed by walking, running or crawling (16.3%).
Figure 10. Percentages of Injuries to Children Aged 0-6 by Context of Injury, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
Table 4 shows the percentage of injuries by context of injury by age group. For infants under 1, the most common context of injury was sitting or standing passively (22.7%). For the older age groups, most injuries occurred when the child was playing, climbing or dancing in the home (between 31.4% and 37.2%).
Table 4. Context of Injury by Age Group, 2001-2005|
Context of Injury
|
Under 1
(number)
|
Under 1
%
|
1-2 Years
(number)
|
1-2 Years
%
|
3-4 Years
(number)
|
3-4 Years
%
|
5-6 Years
(number)
|
5-6 Years
%
|
|---|
|
Playing/climbing/dancing (in home)
|
81
|
15.3%
|
771
|
31.4%
|
753
|
37.2%
|
599
|
34%
| |
Walking, running, crawling
|
59
|
11.2%
|
539
|
22%
|
294
|
14.5%
|
215
|
12.2%
| |
Sports, informal & physical recreation activities
|
1
|
0.2%
|
9
|
0.4%
|
54
|
2.7%
|
128
|
7.3%
| |
Bicyclist
|
0
|
0%
|
3
|
0.1%
|
34
|
1.7%
|
78
|
4.4%
| |
Sitting, standing - passive
|
120
|
22.7%
|
137
|
5.6%
|
85
|
4.2%
|
52
|
3%
| |
Recreation/hobby activities
|
0
|
0%
|
10
|
0.4%
|
20
|
1%
|
32
|
1.8%
| |
Sports, organized competition or practice
|
0
|
0%
|
2
|
0.1%
|
5
|
0.2%
|
30
|
1.7%
| |
In car/passenger van/jeep
|
18
|
3.4%
|
41
|
1.7%
|
42
|
2.1%
|
28
|
1.6%
| |
Sleeping, resting
|
27
|
5.1%
|
21
|
0.9%
|
22
|
1.1%
|
7
|
0.4%
| |
Total
|
529
|
|
2455
|
|
2026
|
|
1762
|
|
|
| Location of Injury |
|
Figure 11 shows the location of injuries for all age groups combined. Two-thirds of all injuries occurred in the home -- either the child's own home (54.3%), or another house or apartment (11.5%).
Figure 11. Percentages of Injuries by Location of Injury, Children Aged 0-6, KFL&A area, 2001-2005
Table 5 shows the location of injuries by age group. For each age groups, the majority of injuries occur in the child's home or another house/apartment. Among older children (5- to 6-year olds), increasing numbers of injuries occur at school (13.7%). A sizeable proportion of injuries occurred in an unknown location (between 9.7% and 14.6%).
Table 5. Location of Injurty by Age Group, 2001-2005|
Location of Injury
|
Under 1
(number)
|
Under 1
%
|
1-2 Years
(number)
|
1-2 Years
%
|
3-4 Years
(number)
|
3-4 Years
%
|
5-6 Years
(number)
|
5-6 Years
%
|
|---|
|
Own house, apartment
|
363
|
68.6%
|
1530
|
62.3%
|
1078
|
53.2%
|
708
|
40.2%
| |
School
|
0
|
0.0%
|
12
|
0.5%
|
67
|
3.3%
|
242
|
13.7%
| |
Other house, apartment
|
34
|
6.4%
|
289
|
11.8%
|
258
|
12.7%
|
199
|
11.3%
| |
Unknown location
|
77
|
14.6%
|
237
|
9.7%
|
214
|
10.6%
|
198
|
11.2%
| |
Public park
|
2
|
0.4%
|
47
|
1.9%
|
75
|
3.7%
|
106
|
6.0%
| |
Highway/Road
|
34
|
6.4%
|
68
|
2.8%
|
84
|
4.1%
|
88
|
5.0%
| |
Shop/shopping centre
|
4
|
0.8%
|
66
|
2.7%
|
44
|
2.2%
|
23
|
1.3%
| |
Sports/Recreation area
|
0
|
0.0%
|
12
|
0.5%
|
10
|
0.5%
|
20
|
1.1%
| |
Daycare/preschool
|
1
|
0.2%
|
63
|
2.6%
|
59
|
2.9%
|
12
|
0.7%
| |
Total
|
529
|
|
2455
|
|
2026
|
|
1762
|
|
|
| Falls: External Cause, Type of Fall, Location, Nature of Injury Sustained, and Context |
|
The following section presents detailed characteristics of falls, the leading cause of injury among infants and children.
External Cause of Falls
The causes of falls are presented in Table 6 (all falls regardless of height of fall) and Table 7 (falls presented by height categories). Most falls by infants are from furniture or other structures/equipment. In toddlers (ages 1- 2), most falls are on the floor/ground or falls from furniture. In older age groups, most falls are from a structure or equipment other than furniture.
For the height of falls, it is apparent that most falls in under 1-year-olds are from a height of more than one metre (42.8%) or less than one metre (38.0%), rather than on the same level. Among children aged between 1 and 6 years, most falls are on the same level or from less than one metre.
|
| |
| |
