A prospective study of significant non-fatal injuries in small children in Cape Town : lessons for prevention

ABSTRACT

Paediatric trauma is the leading cause of death in the 5-14 year-old age group in South Africa and elsewhere in the world; with attendant considerable morbidity. This prospective study analyzed 100 consecutive children (under the age of 12 years old) presenting with injuries requiring admission to a trauma center inCapeTown. The most common cause of injuries were motor vehicle accidents (33) followed by falls (31); sports (8);poisoning (3); and bicycle accidents (2). Fourteen (14) children were injured non-accidentally. The majority of injured children were from poor socio-economic circumstances with a mean family income of 894R (130 USD) per month. Alcohol played a role in the etiology of at least 21of the injuries.Children are vulnerable to injuries in our society and there is presently too little direction on preventative aspects of these injuries