KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
They come courtesy of journal Brain Injury and with over 1 million non-fatal traumatic brain injury cases treated in emergency departments each year, this information is important.
In infants under 1-year-old, 25% of injuries were caused by falling from beds, while uneven floors were second.
Among 1- to 4-year-olds, beds, uneven floors and stairs led the way.
After age five, bicycle accidents become an issue.
Once children reach the age of 10 and beyond, it's football injuries that lead the way until the age of 19.
The message is clear: Simple measures such as removing trip hazards and using stair gates along with avoiding hard surface playgrounds are very important. Wearing helmets can reduce the risk of injury.
The allure of football is certainly great, but we may be reaching a time where flag football and other forms of the sport should be encouraged — especially for children and adolescents.
