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Children treated for lawn mower-related injuries in US emergency departments, 1990-2014
Karen S Ren1, Thiphalak Chounthirath2, Jingzhen Yang1
1Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States; The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States.
Insights
Childhood lawn mower injuries remain a significant concern, with over 212,000 emergency treatments recorded between 1990-2014. Despite a decrease in injury rates, enhanced prevention strategies are crucial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric травматология
- Public Health Surveillance
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- Lawn mower injuries represent a notable cause of morbidity in children.
- Understanding injury patterns is vital for effective prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of lawn mower-related injuries among children in the United States.
- To analyze trends and identify risk factors associated with these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of children (<18 years) treated in US emergency departments.
- Data sourced from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 1990-2014.
Main Results:
- An estimated 212,258 children sustained lawn mower injuries, with an average annual rate of 11.9 per 100,000.
- Lacerations (38.5%) and hand/finger injuries (30.7%) were most common; struck by (21.2%) and cut by (19.9%) were leading mechanisms.
- Young children (<5 years) had higher risk of burns; passengers/bystanders faced increased hospitalization risk.
Conclusions:
- Lawn mower injuries continue to cause significant harm to children.
- While rates declined, substantial numbers necessitate further prevention efforts.
- Improvements in mower design and safety standards, alongside education, are recommended.
Objective:
Investigate the epidemiology of lawn mower-related injuries to children in the US.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted of children younger than 18years of age treated in US emergency departments for a lawn mower-related injury from 1990 through 2014 using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.
Results:
An estimated 212,258 children <18years of age received emergency treatment for lawn mower-related injuries from 1990 through 2014, equaling an average annual rate of 11.9 injuries per 100,000 US children. The annual injury rate decreased by 59.9% during the 25-year study period. The leading diagnosis was a laceration (38.5%) and the most common body region injured was the hand/finger (30.7%). Struck by (21.2%), cut by (19.9%), and contact with a hot surface (14.1%) were the leading mechanisms of injury. Patients <5years old were more likely (RR 7.01; 95% CI: 5.69-8.64) to be injured from contact with a hot surface than older patients. A projectile was associated with 49.8% of all injuries among patients injured as bystanders. Patients injured as passengers or bystanders were more likely (RR 3.77; 95% CI: 2.74-5.19) to be admitted to the hospital than lawnmower operators.
Conclusions:
Lawn mower-related injuries continue to be a cause of serious morbidity among children. Although the annual injury rate decreased significantly over the study period, the number of injuries is still substantial, indicating the need for additional prevention efforts. In addition to educational approaches, opportunities exist for improvements in mower design and lawn mower safety standards.
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