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Background Few data are available addressing occupational and other injury risks among children of migrant Hispanic farm workers. Methods We conducted the U.C. Davis Farm Worker Injury Study (UCD-FWIS), a longitudinal follow-up study of injury among migrant Hispanic farm worker families living in six Northern California Migrant Housing Centers (MHCs). Nine hundred forty-one children (age < 18 years) were interviewed through parental proxy. Results Fifty-one injuries resulting in medical care or at least one-half day of lost or restricted work or school time occurred among 49 children (3.8 injuries/100 person-years). Open wounds (31.4%) and fractures (29.4%) were most common. Falls comprised over one-third of the cases, followed by being struck and bicycle injuries. Over three-quarters of subjects never use a helmet when riding a bicycle. Seventy-eight (8.3%) children reported employment in the preceding year, typically involving manual agricultural tasks. Two injury; cases were occupational and involved agricultural work. Conclusions Occupational injury was uncommon in this group of children in migrant Hispanicfarm worker families. Injury prevention in this population should include a focus on the home and surrounding environment as well as the work place. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [References: 39]