Nearly 75% of TBIs in youths caused by furniture and other common fixtures

Most traumatic brain injuries in those under the age of 19 happen because youths hit their heads against common household fixtures such as furniture and sports equipment, according to new research. Nearly 1.7 million TBI cases occur every year in the U.S., of which roughly 700,000 happen in youths. In the new study, researchers found that between 2010 and 2013, there were some 4.1 million non-fatal TBI visits to emergency rooms. In infants and kids ages 1-4, hits to the head from beds and other pieces of furniture were most likely. Among older children, TBIs from bicycles, football, and basketball were the most common. While the vast majority of these TBIs were due to unintentional injuries, some 6% were due to assault. Prevention strategies should include making modifications to kids’ environment, the authors suggest.