Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model
Published on: March 27, 2016
Scooter injuries: a new pediatric morbidity
M B Abbott1, S A Hoffinger, D M Nguyen
1East Bay Pediatrics, Berkeley and Orinda, California, USA.
Insights
Scooter use among children leads to frequent injuries, particularly fractures, often occurring soon after use begins. Younger children experienced more severe injuries, highlighting the need for prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric injury epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal trauma in children
- Injury prevention research
Background:
- Scooter popularity has surged, leading to an increase in pediatric injuries.
- Understanding the patterns of scooter-related injuries is crucial for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the types, mechanisms, and treatments of injuries sustained by children using scooters.
- To explore strategies for preventing scooter-related injuries in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series involving 14 children treated by a general pediatrician and orthopedic surgeon.
- Data collection included detailed patient histories and medical record reviews over a 3-month period.
Main Results:
- Fractures were the most common injury, affecting 11 out of 14 children.
- Most injuries (13/14) occurred within the first month of scooter use, with half (7/14) happening on the first day.
- Protective gear was used by only 5 patients, and injuries still occurred on unprotected body parts.
Conclusions:
- Scooter use poses a significant health hazard to children, contributing to a new category of pediatric injuries.
- Injuries are more frequent and severe in younger children and occur early in the scooter use timeline.
- Further research is essential to develop effective methods for preventing or minimizing scooter-related injuries.
Objective:
To describe types of injuries, mechanisms of injury, and treatment of injuries caused by scooter use in children, and to discuss issues of injury prevention in children who use scooters.
Study Design:
Data were collected from 14 children seen by a general pediatrician and an orthopedic surgeon over a 3-month period in the summer of 2000. Detailed histories were obtained from patients and their families, and medical records were reviewed.
Results:
Eleven of the 14 patients suffered fractures. The injuries in the other 3 patients were a large abrasion, a laceration, and a septic knee. Half (7) of the children were injured within the first day of riding their scooter, and 13 of the 14 injuries occurred within the first month of scooter use. Only 5 patients used protective gear at the time of their injuries, and those patients were injured in unprotected parts of their bodies.
Conclusions:
The popularity of scooters presents a new cause of pediatric injuries and a significant health hazard to children. In our study, most injuries occurred shortly after children began scooter use, and younger children suffered the most severe injuries. Additional studies are needed to determine how scooter-related injuries can be prevented or minimized. scooters, injuries.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

