External causes are important factors of child morbidity and mortality and permanent disabilities around the world. This quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to characterize emergency care for children and adolescents aged from zero to 19 years victims of external causes of morbidity and mortality in a university hospital in the interior of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, between 2000 and 2006. At the end of the study period researchers found 6302 emergency attendances and the majority of reported cases occurred among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, males, between Saturday and Monday and from 7 to 12 pm. The main diagnoses of external causes were transport accidents, followed by assault. In conclusion, the nurses' role in caring for patients who are recovering from accidents, violence and aggression is of fundamental importance for the families and community. It is essential in order to contribute to the planning and development of preventive and assistance actions.
External causes; Child; Adolescent; Nursing care; Accident prevention
