In ten years, hospitalizations in the SUS for this reason exceeded 335 thousand
reproduction
Published 04/27/2024 09:01
The number of hospitalizations of children under 10 years of age as a result of falls has exceeded 335 thousand in the last ten years. Last year alone, more than 33,000 young people in this age group were admitted to hospitals in the Unified Health System (SUS) for this reason. Because of this, the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) published a list of guidelines to be adopted to prevent accidents.
Check the recommendations according to age group:
Children under 1 year old
* Never leave the baby alone on the changing table or in higher places, such as the bed. This is usually the baby’s first fall and, as the head is quite large in relation to the rest of the body, it will hit the ground first, potentially causing serious head and brain injuries.
* When the baby begins to control the movements of his arms and legs and learns to sit, a posterior hyperextension reflex causes him, without wanting to do so, to throw himself back and hit his head on the floor. “Therefore, the use of pillows and the presence of an adult caregiver are essential”, says the SBP.
* If the baby is being carried on your lap, on stairs and steps, the person should always lean on the handrail. Furthermore, you should avoid smooth, wet or slippery floors.
* The baby should never be in the care of another child. If the sibling or other child wants to pick them up, they need to be guided and protected so that this only happens with an adult holding them too.
* The walker should not be used – never, at any age. It impairs the child’s development and walking and has been the cause of serious accidents, with significant head trauma.
* You should also not leave the baby on sofas or chairs, as if it were a support for learning to sit. The baby will not stay still, and falls may happen. Playing on the floor, protected, will give him much more space to move and develop his motor skills.
Children aged 1 to 4
* Screens must be placed on windows, balconies and unprotected openings, as well as on the sides of stairs. Objects, chairs, sofas and other supports should not be left near these risky places.
* Be careful with wet and slippery surfaces that cause imbalance and falls. Bathrooms, floors in general and sidewalks around swimming pools that are wet must be prohibited from playing.
* Mobility toys, such as tricycles, scooters and skateboards, must be well chosen and must support the child’s weight and have a safe base, without tipping over easily. They must be used in appropriate places, never on public roads and always with safety equipment, such as helmet, knee pads, ankle pads and elbow pads.
* Be careful with bunk beds, which do not offer safety at any age. Even with protection on the sides, they are not recommended in the first years of life and not even for older children. “In addition to the need for lateral protection, the top bed should not be higher than the child’s height.”
* The child should never be left alone, without an adult caregiver watching over them.
Children aged 5 to 9
* Exploring places beyond the home can become intense, and falls from walls, slabs, trees and toys in parks are common. To avoid accidents, guidance and supervision from those responsible are essential.
* The locomotion toys are transformed. Whether on bicycles, scooters, skateboards and others, safety equipment such as helmets, elbow pads, knee pads and ankle braces must be a condition for using the toy, regardless of the location, stretch or time of use.
* The use of cell phones and other screens cannot be permitted when on public roads or when the child is moving, due to the distraction it triggers. “We must remember that the use of screens at this age should not exceed one hour a day and cannot be used as companionship or outsourcing care.”
