Pediatric window falls: Not just a problem for children in high rises
November 29, 2005 - A study by Children's Memorial Hospital and Injury
Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago shows that almost all window falls in Chicago
– 98 percent – are from the third floor or lower. The article describing the
findings was published in the November issue of Injury Prevention, a British
Medical Journal publication.
The study was conducted to describe the housing characteristics and types of
injuries among children who fell from windows in the Chicago area. Children
treated in a pediatric trauma center for injuries related to window falls
between 1995 and 2002 were identified retrospectively. Their demographic and
medical data was recalled in order to better understand the circumstances of the
falls and the injuries incurred.
“We believe this information will help us reduce the number window falls in
the Chicago area,” said Dr. Karen Sheehan, one of the study's authors and a
pediatric emergency room physician at Children's Memorial. “This data helps us
develop specific preventative programs aimed at the families at greatest risk.”
The authors also believe that the programs should be directed to both the
occupants and owners of the multi-level rental properties in the city.
Each year there are an estimated fifteen window falls per 100,000 Chicago
preschool children. Over the seven year period studied there were 90 falls, and
55 of those children were males. The study also found that 90 percent of the
victims were 5 years old or younger and 49 percent were self-identified as
Hispanic. Low income children accounted for 74 percent of all window falls. One
probable reason behind this is that lower income families live in buildings
without air-conditioning, forcing them to open windows for ventilation.
The types of housing that posed the biggest risk were multi-unit rental
buildings, not high rises as most suspected. Despite the lower heights, serious
injuries often resulted. Head trauma was the most common injury – 48 percent --
followed by skeletal injuries at 23 percent.
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, is recognized as one of the top
pediatric hospitals in the country and number one in Illinois by rankings
published in U.S. News & World Report. Its physicians are faculty members at
the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.
For more information, contact Julie Pesch or Elizabeth Zagar at
773.880.4500.