Trampolining injuries presenting to a children's emergency department

There has been an unprecedented surge in the popularity of trampolines in the UK and in the number of children attending emergency departments with associated injuries.

To record the incidence, injury type and risk factors for children attending the emergency department of a busy suburban hospital with trampolining injuries.

Between May and September 2008, all eligible patients had a proforma completed recording mechanism, time and type of injury, the number of children trampolining at the time of the injury and whether a supervising adult or safety net was present. Analgesia requirements, treatment and follow-up were recorded.

131 children presented with trampolining injuries (1.5% of paediatric attendances). The average age was 8.8 years (range 1-16). 77 (59%) had no net present and 87 (66%) no supervising adult. 89 (68%) sustained injuries without actually falling from the trampoline and, on average, 2.6 people (range 1-7) were on the trampoline at the time of the injury. 81 (62%) required a radiograph and 40 (31%) were diagnosed with fractures. 18 (14%) required surgery and 28 (21%) were discharged with clinic follow-up. 18 (14%) sustained lacerations that required closure in the department.

The enormous increase in trampoline sales has brought with it a significant increase in the injuries presenting to UK emergency departments. Safety information is given by manufacturers, retailers and local government authorities, but many parents fail to heed this advice. A combination of inadequate adult supervision, several people using a trampoline simultaneously and insufficient safety equipment seems inextricably linked with injury. Greater parental and public awareness is required regarding the potential dangers of what is perhaps unwittingly considered a light-hearted pastime.