Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Section, Injury Surveillance and Prevention Program in conjunction with both the New Hampshire Home Visiting Program and the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Program has released New Hampshire Special Emphasis Report: Infant and Early Childhood Injury, 2005-2009.This report details the childhood injury data for New Hampshire during these years.

Between 2005 and 2009 in New Hampshire, there were nearly 49,000 children, five years old and younger who were injured seriously enough to require hospital care. Twenty children died. The top five types of injuries found in emergency department and inpatient discharge data were falls, struck by or against object, natural and environmental causes, cut or pierce injuries, and poisoning. The major cause of infant death during this time period was suffocation in bed.

“Most young childhood injuries are preventable with diligent supervision,” said Dr. José Montero, Public Health Director at DHHS. “New Hampshire joins with other states in being concerned about the increasing number of infants who die in unsafe sleep environments. The New Hampshire Division of Public Health supports the American Academy of Pediatrics’ revised recommendations and updated national ‘Safe to Sleep’ campaign to reduce the risks of an unsafe sleep environment. This includes putting an infant to sleep on its back on a firm, flat mattress without any items in the crib, such as loose bedding, soft toys or pillows, alone, but in the same room as its parent or care provider.”

Debra Samaha, Program Director of Injury Prevention Center at Dartmouth, states, “Our goal is to help all New Hampshire children grow up safe and injury free. Injuries and violence are some of the most serious social, economic, medical, and public health issues facing our youth today. The data in this report identifies what is causing injury and we have the science to help guide us in preventing future injury. We have made great progress in the last ten years yet much work remains to be done. Join us in helping all New Hampshire children grow up safe and injury free.”

This special emphasis report also provides contact information for several agencies with outreach programs that can assist parents in creating a safe environment for their children. To view the complete report, visit http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/bchs/mch/injury.htm.