Accidents due to other causes include
poisonings, falls, electrocutions, sport and agricultural injuries and
other manners of death in which the cause was unclear to the medical
examiner/coroner. There were 238 child deaths (0-18) of other or
undetermined causes in the United States in 2000.
Poisoning deaths are most often due to the inattention of parents or
other caregivers. Over-the-counter or prescription medications are the
primary source of poisonous substances, and more than 90% of poisonings
in the U.S. occur in the home. Other sources of poisoning for children
include vitamins with high iron content, household cleaning products
and carbon monoxide. Adolescents are at a higher risk for alcohol
poisoning. In a study published by the Journal of American College
Health, over 40% of students surveyed engage in binge drinking, which
is defined as having five or more drinks during one occasion.
While falls are the leading cause of non-fatal unintentional injuries
and emergency department visits for children under 14 years of age,
they are rarely fatal. Each year in the U.S., falls among this age
group account for an estimated 2.5 million emergency department visits.
But on a national level, only 90 children ages 14 and under die as the
result of falls in the home annually. Of these children, nearly 75% are
ages four and under. The number of reported falls is decreasing as
physicians are better distinguishing fall injuries from child abuse
injuries.
Electrocutions occur from two primary sources, within the home and
outdoors. Indoors, children are at risk for electrocutions from exposed
outlets, faulty appliances and incidents in the bathtub. Downed power
lines and lightning strikes most often cause outdoor electrocutions. 
Major Risk
Factors
- For all categories, a lack of adequate
supervision from caregivers.
- Homes that are not child proofed.
- Unsafe consumer products including toys and
baby products.
Records Needed
for Case Review
- Birth records
- Pediatric records for well and sick visits
- Death certificates
- Emergency Department records
- Names, ages and genders of other children in
home
- Police reports
- CPS reports on caregivers and child
- Autopsy report
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