Ceiling fan head injury to children in an Australian tropical location

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Furyk, Jeremy;Franklin, Richard Charles;Costello, Daren
Abstract

Aim: To explore clinical aspects of head injuries caused by ceiling fans in children. Methods: Cases were identified using a sensitive search strategy of the Townsville Emergency Department information system from 1 December 2005 to 30 April 2010, and a retrospective structured medical record review was undertaken. Results: During the study period there were 136 presentations with relevant injuries, with a higher incidence in the warmer months. There were three common mechanisms; those related to ingress and egress from bunk beds, children lifted by an adult, and children jumping from a piece of furniture. Aside from lacerations, the majority of children had unremarkable history and examination findings. There were 29 Computed Tomography (CT) scans of the head performed, four skull X-rays and no c-spine imaging. Forty-six children received sedation or anaesthesia as part of their management, 38 in the Emergency Department and eight in the operating theatre. Seven children sustained skull fractures and a total of 13 children were admitted to hospital for an average length of stay of 2.3 days. Conclusions: Ceiling fans are a small but important source of paediatric head injury in tropical Australia. Significant injuries are possible with 5% of patients having a positive finding on CT scan. Most fractures are palpable, CT is recommended if fracture cannot be confidently excluded clinically.

Journal

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health

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Volume

49

ISBN/ISSN

1440-1754

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Issue

6

Pages Count

6

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Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

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EISSN

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DOI

10.1111/jpc.12213