Varying gender pattern of childhood injury mortality over time in Scotland

Abstract

The gender pattern of child injury mortality in Scotland is highly variable and changing over time to the point where the previous male excess has almost disappeared in some age and cause categories. The overall male excess in child injury mortality has, however, remained consistent over time although the trend is downwards and converging. These findings are largely unexplained.

Taking the long view: a systematic review reporting long-term perspectives on child unintentional injury

“…Boys were reported to have a greater incidence of injury mortality than girls at all ages, a pattern that did not change with time. Two studies showed variable trends by gender over time, with decreasing rates for boys for falls34 and drowning27 while rates in girls remained broadly stable.…”

Exploring differential trends in severe and fatal child pedestrian injury in New South Wales, Australia (1997–2006)

“…risk taking) (Towner et al, 2005). However, recent work on the varying gender pattern of childhood injury morbidity in Scotland has found that the male excess in pedestrian injuries has declined over a 25-year period, leading the authors to suggest that road safety measures, as well as other factors such as the provision of safer play areas, and more participation in indoor leisure activities may provide relatively more protection to boys (Pearson et al, 2009).…”

Sex differences in children with severe health conditions: Causes of admission and mortality in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

“…Injury-related mortality follows a clear gender-biased pattern, since boys are prone to suffer accidents more frequently and severely than girls. The reason for this excess male incidence and mortality by injury is not clear, but differential exposure to risky activities and less careful behavior could be an explaining factor (Pearson et al, 2009). For example, boys are more likely to participate in team and/or contact sports and have more incidences of traumatic injuries than girls (Stracciolini et al, 2014).…”

“…For example, boys are more likely to participate in team and/or contact sports and have more incidences of traumatic injuries than girls (Stracciolini et al, 2014). Road traffic accidents, including those where pedestrians were involved, accounted for the major cause of death by injury, followed by drowning and suffocation and intentional injuries (Pearson et al, 2009;Viner et al, 2011). In a study of underage pedestrians and bicyclists struck by motor vehicles, boys display a higher accident incidence, whether they are pedestrians or riding a bicycle or moped, in every age category considered.…”

“…Injury is the leading cause of children mortality in most of the developed world (Parkkari et al, 2013;Pearson et al, 2009). Injury-related mortality follows a clear gender-biased pattern, since boys are prone to suffer accidents more frequently and severely than girls.…”