The Majority of Pediatric Amputations Involve Fingers
Studies show that pediatric traumatic amputations contribute substantially to healthcare resource challenges in the United States.

March 12, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Majority of Pediatric Amputations Involve Fingers

Little children seem to get their hands into everything. Too often, those little hands end up in danger especially around the home. Every year, pediatric amputations are caused by fingers being caught and trapped, with doors the most common culprit.

Big Numbers for Little Hands

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of Nationwide Children's Hospital released a new study recently showing that as the age of the children goes down, the percentage of injuries involving fingers and thumbs goes up. According to data collected in 2003, in nearly 1,000 cases of traumatic amputations among children 17 years and younger, the majority of the injuries involved fingers and thumbs (64 percent). Among children under five-years-old, over 80 percent of these injuries involve a finger or thumb. A later study confirmed similar findings, citing two-year-olds and under as having the highest proportion of finger amputations injuries.

Danger Zones

Doors and hinges are chiefly to blame for the amputation injuries, but earlier this year the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a massive recall of Graco strollers with hinges that posed an amputation and laceration hazard when opening and closing the canopy. The recall of 1.5 million units is the largest in U.S. history.

Safety First

Preventative measures can be relatively simple. For example, many of the injuries can be curtailed by simply:
-Fitting hinges with protective strips that prevent children from pinching their fingers
-Fitting doors with stoppers and knob covers to prevent the door from slamming
-Using door wedges and door stops
-Installing safety catches to drawers and cupboards
-Diligently remaining informed regarding any product deficiencies and recalls

Studies show that pediatric traumatic amputations contribute substantially to healthcare resource challenges in the United States, resulting in more than $21 million in inpatient charges and accounting for nearly 4,000 days of hospitalization annually. Manufacturers have a responsibility to produce safe products and the injured have a legal right to seek damages. More effective interventions in the home must be implemented to help prevent these costly injuries among children.

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