Injuries in children and adolescents are a significant contributor to hospitalisations in Australia. Injuries sustained during childhood and adolescence can have long-term effects on health and development due to permanent physical disabilities or long-term cognitive or psychological damage. A new release from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare presents hospitalisation and emergency department (ED) presentation data among children and young people.
Between 2021- 22, 603,675 presentations and 88,766 injury hospitalisations occurred amongst children and adolescents across Australia, representing 28% of all ED presentations and 8.3% of hospitalisations. Falls (33%), contact with objects (20%) and transport (14%) were the top three causes of injury hospitalisation among children and adolescents, with 1 in 3 falls among children involving playground equipment.
The AIHW report found boys had higher rates of injury hospitalisation across all types of injury between 2021-22, making up around 3 in 5 ED presentations and hospitalisations. However, this is with the notable exception of poisoning and toxic effect injuries, where girls were 2.8 times more likely than boys to be hospitalised. Additionally, some children disproportionally experience higher rates and impacts from injuries, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and those living in rural and remote parts of Australia.
As children grow and develop, the risk of different types of injury increases. Many causes of injury affect children at higher rates compared to adults, considering differences in their mental, physical and social development. Let’s look at injuries by development stage:
Infants (less than one)
Infants under the age of one are more prone to certain types of injuries due to their developing motor skills, coordination and strength, making them more vulnerable to accidents and injuries.
Infants are more likely than adults to be hospitalised for injuries caused by drowning and submersion, choking and suffocation, and thermal causes.
Early childhood (1-4)
Toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 1-4 grow more independent and mobile, become more curious and interested in their surroundings, and encounter new risks for injury.
Children in this age group are more likely than adults to be hospitalised for injuries caused by drowning and submersion, thermal causes, choking and suffocation, accidental poisoning, and contact with objects.
Middle childhood (5-12)
Children aged 5-12 typically spend more time engaging in physical activities such as organised sports or playing on playground equipment. Children are socially influenced by their peers at this age and often engage in more risky behaviours to fit in.
Children aged 5-9 are more likely than adults to be hospitalised for injuries caused by drowning and submersion.
While children aged 10-12 had no causes where they experienced significantly higher rates. However, this age group was 2.7 times more likely to have an ED presentation for a fracture
Adolescence (13-18)
In the final development stage, adolescents aged 13-18 are now physically resembling adults, but there are still significant differences in maturity and decision-making skills. This age group are more likely to be engaging in risky behaviours such as experimenting with drugs or alcohol or driving recklessly, increasing the risk of injury.
Adolescents in this stage may be experiencing many physical, social and emotional changes. These changes, along with self-esteem, identity, or relationship issues, can contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety and depression and increase their risk of engaging in self-harm or suicidal behaviours. Adolescents aged 13–18 were 3.4 times more likely than adults to be hospitalised for injuries caused by intentional self-harm.
Adolescents aged 13–15 are more likely than adults to be hospitalised for injuries caused by drowning and submersion, transport, and contact with living things.
Adolescents aged 16–18 are more likely than adults to be hospitalised for injuries caused by transport, undetermined intent, contact with living things, other unintentional causes, and assault.
Access the Know Injury Youth Injury Toolkit for information, resources, and guidance to support local governments and health and community professionals in preventing injuries among youth in your local area.
Learn how to prevent injuries in your community using the Public Health Approach to Injury Prevention, a common five-stage method.