Crib injuries send over 9,500 kids to ER

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By Liz Szabo

More than 9,500 babies and toddlers go to the emergency room each year because of injuries related to cribs, playpens and bassinets, according to a 19-year study released Wednesday.

An average of 113 children die each year from these accidents, according to the study, published in Pediatrics.

The true number of crib-related injuries and deaths is probably much higher, because the study included only children treated in ERs and not those seen at doctor’s offices or urgent-care centers, says author Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

About 94 percent of children injured in cribs were treated in the ER and released; 4 percent were hurt seriously enough to be admitted to the hospital, the study says. About 1.2 percent of children died.

Two out of three injuries were caused by falls, the study says.

That suggests that manufacturers need to redesign cribs to prevent falls, says Angela Mickalide, research and program director of Safe Kids Worldwide.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in December created the first new mandatory crib standards in 30 years, prompted by the deaths of at least 36 infants since 2007. The new standards ban cribs with movable drop-down sides.

Gannett News Service