@article{ref1,
title="Bunk bed-related injuries among children and adolescents treated in emergency departments in the United States, 1990-2005",
journal="Pediatrics",
year="2008",
author="D'Souza, Anjali L. and Smith, Gary A. and McKenzie, Lara Beth",
volume="121",
number="6",
pages="e1696-702",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to comprehensively examine bunk bed-related injuries in the United States by using a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, cases of nonfatal bunk bed-related injuries treated in US emergency departments from 1990 through 2005 were selected by using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System bunk bed product code (0661). Cases concerning individuals</=21 years old were included. RESULTS: An estimated 572 580 children and adolescents aged</=21 years were treated in US emergency departments for bunk bed-related injuries during the 16-year study period, yielding an average of 35 790 cases annually. An average of 42 per 100 000 population were treated annually. Bunk bed-related injuries occurred more frequently among males (60.6%). Lacerations were the most common type of injury (29.7%), followed by contusions and abrasions (24.0%) and fractures (19.9%). The body parts most frequently injured were the head and neck (27.3%) in all age groups. Falls were the most common mechanism of injury (72.5%). Of the cases for which locale of injury was recorded, 93.5% occurred at home. Approximately half of the bunk bed-related injuries that occurred at schools involved individuals aged 18 to 21 years (50.9%). An estimated 2.9% of injuries resulted in hospitalization or transfer to another hospital or required additional observation. The number of bunk bed-related injuries showed no significant trend from 1990 to 2005. CONCLUSIONS: Bunk beds are a common source of injury among children and adolescents, and these injuries mostly involve the head and face. Given the continuing large numbers of bunk bed-related injuries at homes and in schools, increased efforts are needed to prevent bunk bed-related injuries among children and adolescents.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0031-4005",
doi="10.1542/peds.2007-2555",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-2555"
}