Epidemiology of balcony fall–related injuries, United States, 1990-2006

Abstract Background Falls from heights are common in urban areas in the United States. This study describes the epidemiology of balcony fall–related injuries requiring emergency department (ED) treatment among children and adults in the United States from 1990 through 2006. Methods In 2009, a retrospective analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission was conducted to describe the epidemiology of balcony fall–related injuries. Results An estimated 86 500 (95% confidence interval [CI], 68 400-104 600) balcony fall–related injuries were treated in US hospital EDs from 1990 through 2006; 70% of cases were male; 63% were adults (≥18 years old); 94% of injury events occurred at home; 24% of patients were hospitalized; and 8 patients died. The rate of balcony fall–related injuries among children decreased significantly during 1990 to 2006 and was similar to that of adults by the end of the study period. Fall heights ranged from 5 to 87.5 ft. Structural failure of the balcony was involved in an estimated 5600 cases. Patients younger than 18 years were more likely to sustain a concussion/closed head injury (relative risk, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.84-3.18) or skull fracture (relative risk, 5.86; 95% CI, 2.58-13.30) than adults. Conclusions This is the first study of balcony fall–related injuries requiring emergency treatment using a nationally representative sample. Balcony falls are an important cause of injury in the United States. Age, male sex, and warm months of the year were associated with balcony fall–related injuries in our study population.