Baby Gate–Related Injuries Among Children in the United States, 1990–2010

• Published in: Academic pediatrics 2014-05, Vol.14 (3), p.256-261
• Main Authors: Cheng, Yao-Wen, BS, Fletcher, Erica N., MPH, Roberts, Kristin J., MS, MPH, McKenzie, Lara B., PhD, MA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Accidents, Home - statistics & numerical data; Age Factors; baby barriers; baby gates; Child; Child, Preschool; Consumer Product Safety; emergency department; falls; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Equipment - adverse effects; injury; Male; National Electronic Injury Surveillance System; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Odds Ratio; Pediatrics; Retrospective Studies; Sex Distribution; stair gates; United States - epidemiology; Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology; Wounds and Injuries - etiology
• ISSN: 1876-2859; 1876-2867
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2013.12.006

Abstract Objective Baby gates are one of the most widely used home safety products to protect children from home hazards. The objective was to describe the epidemiology of baby gate and barrier-associated injuries among children. It was hypothesized that injuries experienced by children ages ≤2 years and those >2 years were significantly different as a result of differences in gate interactions. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted by using nationally representative data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. A total of 1188 actual cases were reviewed and national estimates generated. Results An estimated 37,673 children were treated in emergency departments for injuries associated with gates, yielding an average of 1794 cases annually. The incidence of gate-related injuries increased significantly from 3.9 per 100,000 children in 1990 to 12.5 per 100,000 children in 2010 ( P