Fireworks Injuries to the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Analysis Between 2008 and 2017.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Firework-associated injuries pose a significant public health concern, particularly affecting the head and neck region.
• Understanding injury patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiology of firework-associated head and neck injuries in the United States from 2008 to 2017.
• To identify demographic and injury characteristics associated with these incidents.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for firework-related head and neck injuries.
• Inclusion of 417 injury cases, with statistical analysis (Chi-squared tests) of variables including gender, age, and body part injured.

Main Results:

• The majority of head and neck injuries (67.4%) occurred in males, with 69% of injuries happening in July.
• The face was the most commonly injured body part (61.6%), followed by the head (13.0%) and ear (10.6%).
• Children aged 0-12 years experienced the highest injury rates (40.2%), with a statistically significant association found between gender and body part injured (P = .0001).

Conclusions:

• Fireworks are a leading cause of head and neck injuries, disproportionately affecting minors.
• Pediatricians should proactively address firework safety during well-child visits to mitigate injury risks.
• Targeted educational interventions focusing on high-risk age groups and injury patterns are recommended.