A Medicolegal Evaluation of Childhood Domestic Accidents: A 2-Year Retrospective Single-Center Study

Abstract

Background: Children are at a significant risk of domestic accidents due to their interest, curiosity, and lack of awareness of their surroundings. This study aims to evaluate domestic accidents from a medicolegal perspective and draw attention to the frequency and severity of such accidents in childhood. Materials and Methods: All ICD-10 codes related to domestic accidents and injuries were scanned and reviewed. A total of 1,835 cases in the age group of 0-18 years, who presented to our hospital with a history of domestic accidents, were identified between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2016. Results: The mean age of the cases was found to be 45 months (min: 0, max: 215). It was observed that domestic accidents occurred predominantly in the 13-24 months age group, accounting for 494 (26.9%) cases. The majority of accidents occurred in the living room, constituting 672 (36.6%) cases, and the most common type of accident was falling, accounting for 960 (52.4%) cases. Only 451 (24.6%) of the study population were reported to judicial authorities. Conclusion: In cases of domestic accidents, especially if they are repeated, to avoid overlooking child abuse cases, it is recommended to seek opinions from experienced forensic medicine practitioners in this field, if possible. Establishing a national domestic accident database and conducting further studies on domestic accidents in children will enable us to comprehend the true extent of these accidents and develop new and diverse approaches to prevent them.