The aim of this study was identify cases of accidents victimizing children assisted at the emergence ward of a general hospital. Data were collected from January to March, 1999 through a protocol with variables related to the identification of the accidents as well as of the children. The sample in the study consisted of 890 children of whom 56.1% were males and 43.9% were females. The most prevalent accident was fall (46.9%), the age with a major incidence was between 7 and 11 years old, the parents were present to 43.4% of the cases. The children were discharged from hospital after being given care in 95.7% of the cases.
accident prevention; accidents at home; pediatric nursing
