Accidental head trauma during care activities in the first year of life: a neurosurgical comparative study

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to describe clinical–epidemiological data regarding accidental fall injuries occurring during homecare activities among children up to 1 year of age and to compare their outcomes according to the type of trauma. Methods We searched four different hospital databases on head injuries from 1999 to 2009. Patients recorded under the descriptors “accidental fall” and “home-related” in the subtext were selected. Patients were classified into two groups: those who flipped over and fell from a changing table (n=253) and those who fell from the bed sustaining a direct impact from the floor (n=483). Results There was no difference between both groups with respect to age, gender, and Glasgow Coma Scale score. However, children who suffered injuries after an accidental fall from the changing table were more likely to require surgery (26/483 vs. 57/253, p<0.0001), had a mean longer length of stay (LOS, 4 vs. 1 day), and a higher incidence of depressed skull fractures (12/483 vs. 24/253, p<0.0001). Children with a direct impact from the floor after falling off the bed were expected to suffer from simple linear skull fractures, while those who flipped over the changing table were more likely to present facial, soft tissue, or skeletal injuries. Conclusions Children who flipped over a changing table during their homecare activities were more likely to require surgery, showed a higher morbidity, and showed a longer LOS than those who fell down from the bed. These results probably reflect the different impact energy according to each injury mechanism.