Incidence and description of high chair-related injuries to children

Elizabeth C. Powell*, Edward Jovtis, Robert R. Tanz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Study Objective.-To describe the incidence, circumstances, and types of high chair-related injuries among US children. Design.-Retrospective review of data for children 3 years old and younger from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for 1994-98. Results.-There were an estimated 40650 high chair-related injuries (95% confidence interval [CI], 32657-48643) to children 3 years old and younger treated in hospital emergency departments in the US during the 5-year study period. An estimated 5231 injuries (13%) were related to use of an attachable high chair (including booster seats), and an estimated 4067 (10%) were related to the use of a youth chair. The annual rate of injury among children ≤3 years old was 5.3 per 10 000. The mean age was 10 months (median, 1 year); 56% were boys. Ninety-four percent of injuries resulted from a fall from the chair. Most injuries involved the head (44%) or face (39%). Injury diagnoses included contusions or abrasions (36%), lacerations (25%), closed head injury (21%), and fractures (8%). Two percent of injured children, an estimated 941 (95% CI, 399-148), were admitted to the hospital during the study period, an annual admission rate of 0.1 per 10 000. There were no significant differences between attachable high chairs, youth chairs, and high chairs in anatomic sites of injury, injury diagnosis, or frequency of hospital admission. Conclusions.-Injuries related to high chairs are common, particularly among children in the first year of life. They often result from falls from the chair. The data suggest that restraint use would prevent most of these injuries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)276-278
Number of pages3
JournalAmbulatory Pediatrics
Volume2
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Falls
  • High chair
  • Infant
  • Injury

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Incidence and description of high chair-related injuries to children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this