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American Journal of Public Health logoLink to American Journal of Public Health
. 1989 Aug;79(8):990–994. doi: 10.2105/ajph.79.8.990

Population-based study of unintentional injury incidence and impact during childhood.

F P Rivara 1, N Calonge 1, R S Thompson 1
PMCID: PMC1349892  PMID: 2751038

Abstract

We report a prospective study of medically treated unintentional injuries ascertained in an HMO population of children and adolescents 19 years of age and younger over a one-year period. The overall rate of medically treated injuries was 247 per 1,000, 147/1,000 for those treated in the clinic, and 100/1,000 for those treated in the emergency room (ER). Overall, 2.5 percent of patients were hospitalized. The highest rates of injury were for falls (60 per 1,000), recreational activities (57 per 1,000) and competitive sports (49 per 1,000). The site of care varied little by injury diagnosis or etiology, with the exception that sprains/strains, fractures, and injuries due to play and sports were more commonly treated in the clinic. The impact of trauma on activity was considerable, with 55.9 percent of injuries resulting in restricted activity, 10.6 percent in greater than or equal to 2 days of school missed, and 6.7 percent in greater than or equal to 2 days spent in bed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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