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March 31, 2020

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Confined at home, more kids falling

the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University has reported an increase in children falling from high-rise apartment blocks during the novel coronavirus pandemic, when school closures have forced most youngsters to remain at home.

In the past two months, eight children have been admitted after falling from high places.

In one case, a 5-year-old boy fell from the sixth-story window of his home while his grandmother was cooking in the kitchen. When she found him downstairs, the boy was lying on the ground but was still conscious.

He had multiple fractures, subdural hemorrhage and a skull base fracture. Doctors also had to remove his spleen.

Dr Chen Weiming, deputy director of the hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit, said the increase in such falls is related to the increased time children are spending at home. Since they cannot go outside, some active children may play near windows or balconies and then accidentally fall if these areas are not properly secured.

Chen said all of the recent patients have survived but some will suffer permanent disabilities and trauma.

Young children should never be left home alone or allowed to climb in high places.




 

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