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Shopping trolley-related injuries to children in New Zealand, 1988-97
M L Parry1, L G L Morrison, D J Chalmers
1Injury Prevention Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Insights
Shopping trolley injuries in children increased from 1988-1997, with most hospitalizations involving young children falling from trolleys. Monitoring injury trends post-standard introduction is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric injury epidemiology
- Consumer product safety
Background:
- Shopping trolley related injuries pose a significant risk to children.
- Prior to 1999, New Zealand lacked mandatory safety standards for shopping trolleys, particularly concerning child restraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and characteristics of shopping trolley-related injuries, including fatalities and hospitalizations, among children in New Zealand.
- To establish a baseline of injury data before the implementation of a voluntary safety standard.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of national mortality and hospitalization databases from 1988 to 1997.
- Inclusion criteria focused on children under 15 years of age with injuries linked to shopping trolleys.
Main Results:
- Over the 10-year period, 282 hospitalizations occurred, with no fatalities recorded.
- A statistically significant upward trend in hospitalizations was observed.
- The majority of hospitalized children were under five years old, with falls from trolleys being the primary cause of injury, often affecting the head and face.
Conclusions:
- Shopping trolley-related injuries to children in New Zealand showed an increasing incidence between 1988 and 1997.
- The introduction of a voluntary standard in 1999, including child harness specifications, necessitates ongoing surveillance of injury trends.
Objective:
To describe the epidemiology of shopping trolley related injuries (fatalities and hospitalizations) to children in New Zealand prior to the introduction of a voluntary standard for shopping trolleys.
Methodology:
To identify cases, a key word search was conducted of national mortality and hospitalization databases for the years 1988-97. Cases were limited to children under 15 years of age.
Results:
For the 10 year period investigated, 282 hospitalizations and no fatalities were identified. A significant increasing trend for hospitalizations was detected (chi2 = 17.6, 1 d.f.; P < 0.001). Ninety-two per cent of children hospitalized were aged under 5 years and two-thirds were aged 2 years or younger. Ninety per cent of injuries resulted from falls from trolleys, 84% of injuries were to the head or face and 22% were rated serious (AIS-3) on the Abbreviated Injury Scale.
Conclusions:
The incidence of injuries associated with shopping trolleys increased between 1988 and 1997. Following the introduction of a voluntary standard for shopping trolleys in 1999, which included specifications for child harnesses, trends in injury should be monitored.