Turkish Neurosurgery
TELEVISION TIP-OVER RELATED HEAD INJURIES: A PARTICULAR TYPE OF CHILD NEGLECT
Burak Eren1, Abdurrahim Tas2, Feyza Karagoz Guzey1, Ilker Gulec1, Azmi Tufan1, Murat Karacan1
1Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, İstanbul,
2Health Sciences University, Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Diyarbakır,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.23279-18.1
Aim:The purpose of this study is to identify, report, and raise awareness of the risk factors for television (TV) tip-over.Material and Methods:In total, 86 children who were brought to the emergency service and hospitalized in the neurosurgery clinic between August 2011 and August 2016 because of TV tip-over-related head trauma were included in the study.Results:Of these 86 patients, 47 boys and 39 girls. The mean age was 38.8 ± 19.5 (9–102) months. Low education level of the mother was a risk factor for this accident (p=0.009). In all the patients, injuries were caused by the tip-over of a cathode ray tube (CRT) TV. In 66 patients (77%), only the TV tipped over onto the child, whereas in 20 cases (23%), the TV tipped over with the TV stand. The TVs were not fixed to the stand or the wall in any of the patient’s home. According to computerized tomography findings, 12 patients (13.9%) had intracranial hemorrhage and 19 patients (22%) had skull fractures. Five patients underwent neurosurgery. Eighty-four patients (97.6%) were discharged as GCS= 15. One patient was discharged as GCS= 9/15 with tracheostomy and nasogatric tubes. One patient died.Conclusion:TV tip-over causes physical injury that may cause serious neurological damage and death and is becoming more common and it may be prevented by taking simple precautions.
Corresponding author : Burak Eren