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Evaluation of scooter-related injuries in children
Anne B Mankovsky1, Mario Mendoza-Sagaon, Cécile Cardinaux
1Lausanne, Switzerland.
Insights
Scooter injuries are common in children, especially boys aged 10-13, with face, ankle, and wrist trauma being most frequent. Improved prevention strategies and protective gear are recommended.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Public Health
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- The widespread adoption of scooters has led to a notable increase in associated injuries among children.
- This surge in popularity necessitates a thorough examination of scooter-related trauma in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the circumstances, types, severity, and mechanisms of injuries sustained by children using scooters.
- To identify key demographic and temporal patterns in pediatric scooter injuries.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of emergency department records was conducted for all pediatric patients diagnosed with scooter-related trauma.
- Data were collected from January 2000 to February 2001.
Main Results:
- 156 cases were analyzed, with 48% of patients aged 10-13 years and 66.6% being male.
- Common injury sites included the face (47.5%), ankle (17.9%), and wrist (17.3%). Fractures occurred in 31% of cases, with 38% requiring surgery.
- Primary injury mechanisms involved street/sidewalk incidents (45%), including collisions with motor vehicles (44%), braking failures (33%), and mechanical scooter issues (15%).
Conclusions:
- A significant shift in recreational preference from roller skates to scooters among children was observed.
- There is a critical need for enhanced research into scooter injury prevention and the promotion of safety programs.
- Recommendations include the use of protective gear, particularly for the head, face, wrists, and ankles.
Background/Purpose:
The sudden popularity of the "scooter phenomenon" was followed by an increased rate of injuries associated with its use. This study evaluates the circumstances, types, degrees, and mechanisms of injury related to the use of a scooter in the pediatric population.
Methods:
From January 2000 to February 2001, the emergency files of all the children arriving at the authors' institutions with a diagnosis of "scooter related trauma" were reviewed.
Results:
One hundred fifty-six cases were recorded; 48% of patients were between 10 and 13 years old; 66.6% were boys. There was a incidence peak in September and October. Trauma locations were as follows: face (47.5%), ankle (17.9%), wrist (17.3%), knee (11.5%), and head trauma (12%). Eighty-five percent healed within 1 to 4 weeks; 16.6% needed hospitalization. Fractures occurred in 31% of cases; 38% of these required surgical treatment. Concerning the mechanisms of injury, 45% occurred on the street and sidewalk, 44% of which resulted from collisions with a motor vehicle, 33% were caused by inefficient braking, and 15% were related to a mechanical problem with the scooter's structure.
Conclusions:
The authors observed a shift in the children's interest from roller skates toward the scooter. Research on scooter injury prevention needs to be improved, and a program needs to be promoted to reduce the number and the severity of related injuries. For now the authors would recommend head, mainly face, wrist, and ankle protections.