Accidents due to falls from roof slabs

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Falls from the roof slabs of houses are accidents of high potential severity that occur in large Brazilian cities and often affect children and adolescents. The aims of this study were to characterize the factors that predispose towards this type of fall involving children and adolescents, quantify the severity of associated lesions and suggest preventive measures. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive observational prospective longitudinal study in two hospitals in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. METHODS: Data were collected from 29 cases of falls from roof slabs involving children and adolescents between October 2008 and October 2009. RESULTS: Cases involving males were more prevalent, accounting for 84%. The predominant age group was schoolchildren (7 to 12 years old; 44%). Leisure activities were most frequently being practiced on the roof slab at the time of the fall (86%), and flying a kite was the most prevalent game (37.9%). In 72% of the cases, the children were unaccompanied by an adult responsible for them. Severe conditions such as multiple trauma and traumatic brain injuries resulted from 79% of the accidents. CONCLUSION: Falls from roof slabs are accidents of high potential severity, and preventive measures aimed towards informing parents and guardians about the dangers and risk factors associated with this type of accident are needed, along with physical protective measures, such as low walls around the slab and gates with locks to restrict free access to these places. RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO:A queda de cima da laje é um acidente com alto potencial, que ocorre nas grandes metrópoles brasileiras e frequentemente acomete crianças e adolescentes. O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar os fatores que predispõem às quedas da laje envolvendo crianças e adolescentes, quantificar a gravidade das lesões associadas e sugerir medidas preventivas. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo longitudinal observacional de caráter descritivo realizado em dois hospitais na região metropolitana de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram coletados dados de 29 casos de queda da laje envolvendo crianças e adolescentes no período de outubro de 2008 a outubro de 2009. RESULTADOS: O gênero masculino foi o mais prevalente, com 84% dos casos. A faixa etária predominante foi a escolar (7 a 12 anos) com 44%. O lazer foi a atividade mais frequente praticada na laje no momento da queda (86%), sendo a brincadeira de empinar pipa a mais prevalente (37,9%). Em 72% dos casos, as crianças estavam desacompanhadas de um adulto responsável. Quadros graves como politraumas e traumas cranioencefálicos representaram 79% dos acidentes. CONCLUSÃO: A queda da laje representa acidente com alto potencial de gravidade, sendo necessária a adoção de medidas preventivas direcionadas ao esclarecimento de pais e responsáveis sobre os perigos e fatores de risco relacionados com esse tipo de acidente, além da adoção de medidas de proteção física, como muretas ao redor da laje e portões com travas para restringir o livre acesso a es...

Epidemiological profile of unintentional accidents in children over a period of 4 years

“…reported that the prevalence of non-fatal injuries in 5-9-year-old children was significantly higher (19.3 per 1000 subjects) than in 10-14 years old children (15.1 per 1000 subjects) [4]. In our study the most common site of injury is limb in children older than 6 years, and head injury is more common in toddlers those results are similar to a study in Texas where children had more injuries in limbs and younger children had head trauma [18,19].…”

Notificação do acidente traumático em um hospital público da Amazônia brasileira

“…Neste contexto, percebe-se que a queda na infância é concebida como acontecimento normal do cotidiano infantil. Todavia, além de estarem intimamente relacionadas com a fase da infância, refletem falha na capacidade protetora da família e o desconhecimento de fatores de risco, o que pode ocasionar graves sequelas e problemas futuros, indicando a necessidade de intervenção para prevenção (20,21) . Ainda sobre a causa do trauma, percebeu-se na pesquisa em questão que o acidente de trabalho aparece como terceira causa, com maior incidência em indivíduos do sexo masculino e no grupo etário de 19 a 59 anos.…”

Lower Limb Injuries and Socioeconomic Influences in a Region of a Tertiary Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

“…In 72% of the cases, the children were unaccompanied by an adult responsible for them, which calls attention to prevention measures as informing parents and physical protective measures as gates with lockers to restrict free access to these areas. 28 The aging process implies changes in reflexes and balance control, jeopardizing the body mobility as well as reduced speed and strength. In a recent systematic review, it was concluded that interventions to prevent falls in the elderly have been effective, with 10% reduction in rates of fall.…”