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Homemade zipline and playground track ride injuries in children
Christine M Leeper1, Christine McKenna2, Barbara A Gaines2
1Division of General Surgery and Trauma, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 7th Floor, Faculty Pavilion, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA.
Insights
Homemade zipline injuries are rising, particularly affecting children aged 5-9. These incidents, often caused by falls, result in fractures and head injuries, necessitating careful supervision and safety reviews.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma
- Injury Prevention
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Zipline-related injuries are a growing concern in emergency departments.
- Serious injuries and fatalities have been associated with both playground and homemade ziplines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and characteristics of zipline-related injuries in children.
- To compare injuries from homemade versus playground ziplines.
- To identify risk factors and injury patterns associated with zipline use.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2009-2015).
- Review of a pediatric trauma center's prospectively-maintained database (2005-2013).
- Inclusion of children aged 0-17 years with zipline-related injuries; data collected on incidence, zipline type, injuries, and mechanism.
Main Results:
- A total of 9,397 zipline-related injuries were reported in the NEISS database.
- Homemade zipline injuries showed an increasing trend over time, unlike playground zipline injuries.
- Common injuries included fractures (49.8%), contusions/lacerations (21.2%), and head injuries (12.7%), with falls being the predominant mechanism (83%). Children aged 5-9 were most affected (59%).
Conclusions:
- Homemade zipline injuries are on the rise, posing a significant risk to children, especially those aged 5-9, who require close supervision.
- Playground ziplines, despite safety measures, contribute to substantial head injuries, extremity fractures, and high hospital admission rates.
- There is a need to review and potentially revise playground surface standards to enhance child safety.
Background/Purpose:
Playground track ride and homemade zipline-related injuries are increasingly common in the emergency department, with serious injuries and even deaths reported.
Methods:
Retrospective review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2009-2015), followed by review of our academic pediatric trauma center's prospectively-maintained database (2005-2013). We included children ages 0-17years of age with zipline-related injuries. We recorded annual incidence of zipline-related injury, zipline type (homemade or playground), injuries and mechanism.
Results:
In the NEISS database, 9397 (95%CI 6728-12,065) total zipline-related injuries were reported (45.9% homemade, 54.1% playground). Homemade but not playground injuries increased over time. Common injuries were fracture (49.8%), contusion/laceration (21.2%) and head injury (12.7%). Fall was predominant mechanism (83%). Age 5-9 was most frequently affected (59%). Our center database (n=35, 40% homemade, 1 fatality) revealed characteristics concordant with NEISS data. Head injury was related to fall height>5ft and impact with another structure.
Conclusions:
Homemade zipline injuries are increasing. Children ages 5-9 are at particular risk and should be carefully supervised. Despite protective surfaces, playground ziplines cause significant head injury, extremity fracture and high rates of hospital admission. Playground surface standards should be reviewed and revised as needed.
Level Of Evidence:
Prognosis Study, Level III.
