Home Is Not Always Safe: Pediatric Unintentional Home Injuries in a Tertiary Emergency Department Setting

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Unintentional home injuries (UHIs) are a major yet preventable cause of morbidity and mortality among children. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics, injury mechanisms, and clinical outcomes of pediatric UHIs over a nine-year period in Türkiye. Methods: This retrospective study included all children under 18 years who were diagnosed with UHIs in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) of a tertiary university hospital between January 2016 and November 2024. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, imaging findings, surgical interventions, hospitalizations, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admissions were statistically analyzed. Results: Among 852,090 PED visits, 12,327 (1.4%) were diagnosed with UHIs. Most patients were younger than five years (72.1%) and male (56.8%). The leading causes were falls/collisions (60.6%), burns (12.1%), and foreign body aspirations (10.4%). Hospitalization and PICU admission rates were 11.7% and 1.2%, respectively, mainly involving children aged 2–4 years. Younger age and corrosive ingestion were independent predictors of hospitalization, while burns, falls/collisions, corrosive ingestion, poisoning, and foreign body aspiration significantly increased PICU admission risk. A marked rise in both hospital and PICU admissions was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two fatalities occurred following falls. Conclusions: Falls, burns, and foreign body aspirations were the most common causes of pediatric UHIs, predominantly affecting children aged 2–4 years. Strengthening caregiver supervision, promoting safer home environments, and implementing targeted prevention programs are essential to reduce their impact on children and healthcare systems.