[Cranial injuries among children in the county of Ringkøbing. 2. Analysis of accidents].

Questionnaires were sent concerning all of the patients aged 0-15 years who were admitted to the Ringkøbing County Hospitals during the period 1.1.1982 to 31.8.1989 with head injuries. The object of the questionnaires was to elucidate the circumstances of the accident which resulted in hospitalization. Questionnaires concerning 988 patients (67.5%) were returned. Definite accumulation of the accidents was observed during the period 12.00-18.00 with 55.2% of all the accidents. The majority of the accidents (72.3%) occurred out-of-doors and the majority of these on transport areas. Bicycle accidents were most common, most frequently in children over the age of four years. Where younger children were concerned, accidents in the home were commonest. Accidents in playgrounds and during sports constituted only 13% of the total material. A relatively great proportion of the children (42.9%) were under supervision, usually from their own family, when the accident occurred. On the basis of this investigation, the authors recommend that possible prophylactic measures in the County of Ringkøbing should be directed towards bicycle accidents among the older children and accidents in the homes where smaller children are concerned.