Newswise — Injury and specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children in developed countries according to World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) statistics. Each year in the United States there are over 150,000 pediatric head injuries, which result in 8,000 deaths and 30,000 children with new, permanent disabilities. In fact TBI is the leading cause of death for all people between 1 and 34 years old in the US and injury accounts for two thirds of deaths in those between 5 and 19 years old says Peter Le Roux, MD, FACS, neurosurgeon at Pennsylvania Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Virtually no TBI is without consequence and it is estimated that nearly 3% of the population currently live with TBI-related disabilities. Many children who survive TBI are left with neurologic, behavioral or cognitive disabilities and encounter numerous socio-economic difficulties, often may be unable to work, and resort to crime or drug abuse. This places an enormous burden on patients, their families, and society. "Parents can take simple steps to protect their children from these risks" says Dr. LeRoux.
Wear the Right Helmet If your child rides to school on a bike, scooter or skateboard, the right helmet is essential. More than half of the 500,000 bicycle-related emergency room-treated injuries in 2005 involved children under the age of 15. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by up to 85 percent.
Be careful on the football field Researchers estimate that catastrophic head injuries are 3.28 times more common in high school football players than in college players. Support your school's coaches in having a safe approach in practice and at games. Never let your child "play hurt." Take your child to the doctor immediately if you suspect he has a concussion, and follow the doctor's recommendations regarding returning to the field after a concussion.
Cut out those drawstrings Drawstrings on clothing pose a hidden hazard that can lead to deaths and injuries because they can catch on playground equipment. Avoid injuries by simply removing the drawstrings from hoods and necks of jackets, sweatshirts and shirts, or buying clothing without drawstrings for children up to age 12.
Look at the playground equipment and surface Each year, more than 200,000 children are taken to hospital emergency rooms due to playground-related injuries. Most injuries occur when a child falls onto the playground surface. There should be a layer of safe, shock absorbing surface material, consisting of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or fiber material around playground equipment. Make sure there is no exposed hardware to catch clothing and no free-hanging ropes attached to the equipment, which could cause strangulation.
About Pennsylvania HospitalPennsylvania Hospital " the nation's first " was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. Today, the 515-bed acute care facility offers a full-range of diagnostic and therapeutic medical services and is a major teaching and clinical research institution. With a national reputation in areas such as orthopaedics, cardiac care, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and urology as well as obstetrics, high-risk maternal and fetal services, neonatology, and behavioral health, the campus also includes specialty treatment centers such as the Joan Karnell Cancer Center, the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery and the PENN Neurological Institute. The hospital has over 25, 000 admissions each year, including over 5,200 births. Pennsylvania Hospital is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and is located in the historic Society Hill district of Philadelphia.
RSS