Influence of accident environment on pediatric fall biomechanics using computer simulation: a means to investigate potential child abuse cases

摘要

Perpetrators of child abuse often falsely report common accident scenarios such as falls from beds or changing tables as the underlying causes of injury. In our study we used computer simulation to conduct parametric sensitivity analyses to evaluate the influence of the accident environment on pediatric fall biomechanics. Accident energy is a key aspect in this differentiation since it represents the potential for producing injury in a specific accident. We found that the total energy available for injury in a fall from a horizontal starting posture is directly proportional to the height of the fall and to the coefficient of restitution of the impact surface. Coefficient of friction was found to have only a slight influence on energy. This increase in available energy that is dissipated upon impact reflects an increase in the risk of injury.