1. Seasonal variations in injury rates in children: evidence from a 10-year study in the Veneto Region, Italy.
- Author
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Foltran F, Avossa F, Fedeli U, Baldi I, Spolaore P, and Gregori D
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Infant, Injury Severity Score, Italy epidemiology, Hospitalization statistics & numerical data, Seasons, Wounds and Injuries epidemiology
- Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the long term trend of pediatric injuries in Veneto Region (North-East of Italy) over 10 years, evaluating if seasonality in injury hospitalisations exists. Regional data on hospital admissions during the period 2000-2009 were analysed. Injury was defined as any condition identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes 800-999, excluding late effects from injury (ICD-9-CM codes 905-909), and complications of surgical and medical care, not classified elsewhere (ICD-9-CM code 995-999) in the first diagnostic field. Cyclic trends in seasonality of injuries were tested with Nam test. Thirty-five thousand seven hundred and fifty-one hospitalisations due to an injury have been recorded. Significant seasonal variation in hospitalisations for injuries was observed, with a summer to winter ratio ranging from 1.8 for minor injuries to 2.0 for severe injuries (p <0.001). The observed pattern of increased admission in the summer months should guide resource planning and implementation of preventive strategies.
- Published
- 2013
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