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Pediatric Head Injuries in Summer Camps
Kristen Kolberg1, Noor Saleem1, Michael Ambrose2
1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Clinical Pediatrics
|January 25, 2020
Summary
Summer camps present a risk for child head injuries, with most being mild. Despite this, the camp environment appears safe for youth overall.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sports Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Summer camps have unique supervisory settings that may increase head injury risks in children.
- The specific epidemiology of head injuries sustained in camp settings is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of head injuries among children attending summer camps.
- To analyze the characteristics and severity of head injuries reported by camp nurses.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of head injury reports from 197 summer camps in 36 states during 2016, obtained through a partnership with CampDoc.com.
- Analysis of 4290 definite head injury reports, categorizing severity, camper demographics, medical evaluation, and injury relation to sports.
Main Results:
- Of 4290 definite head injuries, 47% occurred in female campers, with a median age of 10 years. Most injuries were mild (94%).
- Only 3% of head injuries received medical evaluation. Sports-related injuries accounted for 29% of all head injuries.
- Concussions were categorized as definite (3%) or probable (13%). Sports-related concussions were 39% of all concussions, and 61% of definite concussions occurred in female campers.
Conclusions:
- Summer camps are a notable location for pediatric head injuries, predominantly mild.
- Despite injury risks, the overall camp environment appears to be safe for youth participants.
