Everyday accidents among children are important public health issues: they are the cause of 550,000 annual consultations, according to an Inserm report taking stock of these events and their causes.
- At all ages, falls represent the main cause of everyday accidents among children.
- For children under five years old, furniture is often involved in these accidents.
- In children under one year old, these accidents often occur during a vital activity such as rest or eating.
It’s a fear that all parents have: that our child will get hurt, at home or outside. This fear is far from irrational. In fact, according to the study AVICOUpresented by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) in a press releaseeach year, 550,000 consultations in general medicine and pediatrics are due to everyday accidents in children under 15 years old.
Everyday life accidents: leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 years
To carry out their work, the scientists studied a panel of 162 general practitioners and 31 private pediatricians located throughout France. The data was collected between May 2022 and June 2023.
In detail, of the 550,000 annual consultations, 476,000 were carried out with general practitioners and 77,000 with pediatricians. In 80% of cases, the practitioner makes a prescription. This may be medication, absence from school, unfitness for sport, etc.
In three-quarters of cases, children are not treated in an emergency department after their consultation. However, some injuries are very serious, even fatal. Indeed, according to the study, everyday accidents represent the leading cause of death among 1 to 4 year olds and the second among 5 to 14 year olds.
Children: falls are often the cause of these accidents
What are the causes of everyday accidents? Regardless of the child’s age, falls are the main causes of these tragedies. But their origin differs depending on age:
- furniture for children under five;
- spontaneously – during children’s games for example – for those over five years old.
Regarding the location of everyday life accidents, they are “most often at home for those under 10 years old, during sporting or leisure activities outside for those aged 10 and over”, explains the press release.
Accidents are different for babies under one year old. THE “accidents mainly occurred during a vital activity such as eating or resting”, the report said.
This study makes it possible to quantify and understand the origin of everyday life accidents among children. “Since most of these accidents are preventable, it is essential to have detailed and up-to-date data on their characteristics in order to better target prevention actions.”, we can read. The authors recommend carrying out awareness and communication campaigns on everyday accidents among the general public, notably those concerning children aged 1 to 4 years
