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Risk factors for childhood sledding injuries: a case-control study
R P Shugerman1, F P Rivara, M E Wolf
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98105.
Insights
Childhood sledding injuries are more common when children sled in streets or without adult supervision. Higher family income was also a risk factor. Safe sledding locations and supervision can reduce injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Injury Prevention
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood sledding is a popular winter activity.
- Sledding injuries pose a significant risk to children.
- Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify modifiable risk factors associated with childhood sledding injuries.
- To inform targeted injury prevention strategies for sledding.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study design.
- Inclusion of 17 injured children (cases) and matched controls presenting to a pediatric emergency department.
- Data collection via telephone questionnaire on risk factors.
Main Results:
- Sledding in streets significantly increased injury risk (OR=5.1).
- Lack of adult supervision elevated injury risk (OR=5.6).
- Higher parental income (≥$50,000) was associated with increased risk (OR=5.7).
Conclusions:
- Sledding in streets and lack of supervision are key modifiable risk factors.
- Promoting park sledding and increasing adult supervision may reduce sledding injuries.
- Further research into socioeconomic factors influencing sledding injuries is warranted.
Abstract:
We report the results of a case-control study designed to identify modifiable risk factors for childhood sledding injuries. Cases included all children injured while sledding (n = 17) during a five-day winter storm who presented for care to a Seattle pediatric emergency department. Two controls were chosen randomly for each case from children who presented to the same emergency department during the ensuing two months for any illness that did not require hospitalization. To qualify as controls, children had to have sledded during the same five-day period but not sustained an injury requiring medical attention. Data were collected on cases and controls using a telephone questionnaire. Analysis of risk factors revealed a significant increase in risk of injury for children who sledded in streets versus those who sledded in a park (OR = 5.1; 95% CI = 1.1-24.1), those who sledded without adult supervision (OR = 5.6; 95% CI = 1.1-26.9), and those whose parents had an annual income > or = $50,000 (OR = 5.7; 95% CI = 1.5-20.8). No difference in risk of injury was found regarding the type of sled used, the number of children, or their position on the sled or for those children with a history of prior sledding experience. We conclude that safe alternatives to sledding in the streets and an increase in adult supervision may reduce the number of childhood sledding injuries.