Fall From Height Cases of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and The Curfew of the COVID-19 Period Possible Effects on it

Abstract

Background/Purpose: To investigate whether the curfew of the COVID-19 pandemic influences the fall from height cases in children’s age group. Methods: This study was conducted in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of XXX Training and Research Hospital between 01 January 2017 and 01 January 2022. This study enrolled 39 males (35.1%) and 72 females (64.9%) aged 4.4 ±4.1 years. Results: The findings indicate that when the school precautions existed, the number of fall cases who were admitted to PICU decreased 10-fold. Additionally, when the general precautions were performed, the number of fall cases who were admitted to PICU decreased 31,8%. On the other hand, the logistic regression model, which was established to predict the independent factors of higher fall cases among all of the fall cases admitted to PICU, was found to be significant. Falling from the 'storey of building', which is one of the variables included in the analysis, contributed significantly to the model and was in a 54.4-fold significant relationship with High Falls (above 4.57 meters). While pneumocephalus injury was associated with High Falls 9.2 times, pneumothorax was associated 15.9 times. Conclusion: Our results have three implications. First, it was presented that above 4,57 meter falls cause more severe injuries than lower falls. Second, injury patterns, social parameters, epidemiological differences, required prevention equipment, and education of caregivers of fall cases were revealed. Third, the influences of the curfew on the COVID-19 pandemic were discussed.