Here's the leading cause of death in children under 5 and how to protect yourself from it

Les accidents de la vie courante : première cause de décès chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans

Everyday accidents represent a serious threat to the health and safety of children in France. A recent study commissioned by the Directorate General of Health highlights the extent of this phenomenon and underlines the importance of targeted prevention.

The AVICOU study, the results of which were published on September 24, conducted by teams from Inserm and Sorbonne University, analyzed data collected from 162 general practitioners and 31 private pediatricians over a period of one year, from May 2022 to June 2023. The results are striking: more than 550,000 annual consultations in community medicine are linked to everyday accidents in children under 15.

These accidents, which include domestic, sports, school and leisure incidents, are the leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 4 and the second in those aged 5 to 14.

Various causes depending on age

The study also reveals that the nature of accidents changes with age. For children under 10, the home is the main place of the accident, with furniture often being involved in the youngest. For those over 10, outdoor sports and leisure activities are more involved. It should be noted that, regardless of age, falls remain the main cause of accidents.

It is notable that in three-quarters of cases, the accident did not require a trip to the emergency room. This does not mean that it was not serious. Since 80% of consultations for everyday accidents required a prescription (medication, care, inability to play sports, absence from school).

In light of these findings, prevention is a priority. The 2024-2030 roadmap on pediatrics and child health provides for strengthening preventive actions, particularly for children aged 1 to 4. Awareness and communication campaigns tailored to different age groups will soon be rolled out to the general public.