• S Kocak, Z D Dundar, K Yavuz, M A Onal, C Dikmetas, A S Girisgin, M Gul, and B Cander.
• Emergency Department, Selcuk University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg S. 2012 Jun 1;38(3):313-7.

ObjectiveIn this study, factors causing falls from height and precautions taken for their prevention were investigated.MethodsThe study was carried out prospectively between June 2009 and June 2010. Patients under 18 years of age presenting at the emergency department of a university hospital, for whom the primary reason for admission was an accidental fall from a height of at least one meter, were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the patients, the characteristics of the falls, and clinical features were recorded.ResultsData for 133 patients were evaluated. Among these patients, 72 (54.1%) were male; the median age was 4 (IQR 2-7). The most common fall site was a balcony (38%). Falls frequently happened in the spring and the summer. The mean fall height was 2.9 ± 2.5 m, the median GCS score was 15 (IQR 14-15), and the median PTS was 10 (IQR 9-11). The fall heights was higher in patients who lost consciousness (p < 0.001). Among the 95 patients who were 0-6 years old, it was found that about 55% were unaccompanied by their parents. The most common pathology in the patients was head trauma (63%), while 17.3% had multiple traumas.ConclusionSince the vast majority of the fall cases were in the pre-school age group, most were due to falls from a balcony, and more than half of the cases were unaccompanied by parents or caregivers, there are two issues that need to be addressed in relation to pediatric falls from height: family education and legal regulations considering child safety in the design of doors, windows, and balconies of buildings.

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