Stair-related injuries sustained by infants, United States, 2001–2004

Purpose Falls involving stairs account for a substantial number of injuries, even in very young children. The current study uses a large national sample of nonfatal injuries treated in emergency departments to describe stair-related injuries among infants.

Methods Data were from the 2001–2004 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–All Injury Program (NEISS–AIP). NEISS–AIP is a stratified probability sample of US hospitals having ³ 6 beds and providing 24-hour emergency services. Cases were selected if a product code indicated stairs, the child was age £12 months, and the injury was unintentional. Case narratives were reviewed and coded. Estimates were weighted.

Results Annually, an estimated 20,600 infants were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to stairs. Overall, male infants were significantly more likely than female infants to sustain injuries related to stairs (M=56.5% 95% CI 52.8-60.1; F=43.5% 95% CI 39.9-47.1). Injuries sustained were largely contusions/ abrasions (41.1% 95% CI 34.9-47.5) or internal injuries (30.4% 95% CI 23.5-38.2). Eight percent of the infants sustained fractures. The majority of the stair-related events involved falling or rolling down the stairs (61.2%); 12.7% occurred when a caregiver fell while carrying the infant; and 10.2% involved a baby walker.

Conclusions Stair-related injuries among infants are prevalent and can be serious. Results indicate that we must reconsider the developmental nature of some hazards. Stair falls occurred in pre-mobile infants and among caregivers carrying infants. Blocking stair access should begin at birth and caregivers should consider the risk of falls on stairs while carrying infants.