Validation of Parent-Reported Injuries to Their Children

Abstract

Objective: Injury is a leading cause of emergency department visits, disability, and death in children. This study examined the sensitivity and specificity of parental report of children’s specific injuries. Methods: A prospective validation study was conducted in 3 urban pediatric emergency departments from August 2010 to July 2011. Parents of injured children completed a survey at 2-weeks following the emergency department visit, and their responses were compared to injury data that were abstracted from medical records. Results: Parent surveys were completed for 516 injured children. Sensitivities were ≥0.75 for all fractures and ≥0.88 for extremity and skull fractures. Internal organ injuries were generally less accurately reported by parents than fractures. Specificity estimates all exceeded 0.95. Conclusions: This telephone-administered and mailed self-administered survey enabled parents to accurately report specific head and extremity injuries. Practical Applications: This survey may be a useful tool for pediatric injury surveillance activities.