E-bike-related cranial injuries in pediatric population

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neurosurgery
• Trauma surgery
• Public health

Background:

• E-bikes are increasingly popular across all age groups, including children.
• Pediatric e-bike users often neglect safety equipment like helmets, increasing injury risk.
• Head and neck trauma are the most common injuries among pediatric e-bike riders, often requiring neurosurgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the experience of treating cranial injuries in children related to e-bike use.
• To analyze the types and severity of head injuries sustained by pediatric e-bike users.
• To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with pediatric e-bike-related cranial trauma.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data collection from two tertiary centers.
• Inclusion criteria: children (<18 years old) with e-bike-related cranial injuries.
• Analysis of injury patterns, treatment, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Twenty patients were analyzed; 17 were e-bike users, all not wearing helmets.
• 85% sustained skull fractures, often involving the frontal bone.
• 30% had intracerebral contusions, 15% epidural hematomas, and 30% subdural hematomas; 15% required surgery.
• One patient died (5%), while 65% had no neurological deficit at discharge.

Conclusions:

• E-bikes can cause severe cranial injuries, including fractures and intracranial hemorrhages, leading to significant morbidity and mortality.
• There is a critical need for educating children on using protective gear, such as helmets.
• Implementing traffic law education for younger adolescents and restricting e-bike use to older children are essential preventive measures.