Selbst, SM, et al.
Bunk bed injuries
. AJDC 1990;144:721-723.
Methods:
- Injury group: 68 children presenting to emergency department with bunk bed related injury
- Control group: 54 children presenting to emergency department with another complaint and also have a bunk bed (those with previous bunk bed injuries were excluded)
- Mean ages: 5.1 years (injury group); 6.2 years (control group)
Findings:
- Most frequently injured body parts: head (52 percent), lower extremity (13 percent), face (12 percent), upper extremity (10 percent)
- Most common injuries: lacerations (40 percent), skin contusions (28 percent), concussions (12 percent), fractures (10 percent)
- Those injured were much less likely to have carpet under bed (42 percent injured vs. 67 percent controls)
- Six children who required hospitalization (four concussions, one skull fracture / subdural, one laceration near eye) all fell from the top bunk
Conclusions:
- Bunk bed injuries are common and may be serious.
- More serious injuries occurred from top bunk.