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Affiliation
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Department of Pediatrics, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, 58100, Holon, Israel. |
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Abstract
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Of the total 411 cases of accidents occurring in
the State of Israel during 1999, the 314 which were hospitalized at the Edith
Wolfson Medical Center, constituting 7.2% of the total pediatric
hospitalizations in that regional hospital, were analyzed and summarized. Mean
age of the children was 6.6+/-4.4, and ratio of boys to girls was 65:35.
Accidents were classified by location of occurrence: home (52.3%); road (19.3%);
sports (17.4%); and school (11.6%). Grades of severity were as follows: light
(children were discharged without handicaps) (13.2%); moderate (children had
undergone surgical intervention with prolonged or permanent disability) (74%);
severe (children were treated in intensive care units and had permanent
irreversible handicaps) (12.9%). Loss of conscientiousness occurred in 13.3% of
cases. Affected body parts included: limbs (52.7%); head and face (32.7%); spine
(7%); and multisystem injury (14.6%). Mean duration of hospitalization was 3.1
(+/-2.6 days). Accidental injuries most often occurred in the afternoon and in
the absence of parental supervision. These findings generate conclusions for
preventive interventions. |