Table 2

Multivariable predictors of mortality at 30 days following an injury hospitalisation for children aged ≤16 years, linked hospitalisation and mortality data, Australia, 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2012

30 days
Characteristics*HR 95% CI
Gender†
 Male1
 Female1.161.00 to 1.34***
Age group (years)‡
 0–52.021.66 to 2.46*
 6–101.281.01 to 1.64***
 11–161
Number of health conditions
 None1
 One or more0.700.57 to 0.86*
Injury severity
 Minor (ICISS≤0.99)1
 Moderate (ICISS 0.942–0.99)2.611.58 to 4.32*
 Serious (ICISS<0.942)57.5136.60 to 90.36*
Injury mechanism
 Transport incidents2.421.74 to 3.37*
 Falls0.450.30 to 0.67*
 Inanimate mechanical forces1.050.71 to 1.56
 Animate mechanical forces0.700.36 to 1.36
 Drowning and submersion or other threats to breathing3.062.30 to 4.06*
 Poisoning1.020.52 to 2.00
 Intentional self-harm5.003.41 to 7.33*
 Assault0.980.61 to 1.58
 Other and unspecified injury mechanism1
Location of residence
 Urban1
 Regional/remote1.161.00 to 1.35***
 Not known1.781.02 to 3.10***
Principal injury type
 Head1.541.14 to 2.08**
 Neck0.940.53 to 1.66
 Thorax1.651.03 to 2.64***
 Abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis0.590.37 to 0.92***
 Upper extremities0.190.09 to 0.40*
 Lower extremities0.140.06 to 0.28*
 Other injuries1
  • *Data only available from Australian Capital Territory from 1 July 2004.

  • † Gender missing for eight children.

  • ‡Age missing for one child.

  • §Other injuries include: injuries involving multiple body regions, injuries to unspecified parts of trunk, limb or body region, effects of foreign bodies, burns, frostbite, poisoning, complications of trauma and other and unspecified injuries.

  • *p<0.0001; **p<0.01; ***p<0.05.