Injury epidemiology related to personal mobility devices in the pediatric population

The use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) in daily life has significantly increased in France over the past two decades. These devices, popular both as a mode of transportation-especially among adolescents-and as a source of leisure or physical activity, are not without risk. The hypothesis of our study was to assess the dangers associated with PMDs in the pediatric population.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of non-fatal injuries related to the use of both motorized and non-motorized PMDs in children treated in the emergency department of our university hospital in 2019, and to identify factors associated with an increased risk of hospitalization.

All children presenting to the pediatric emergency department in 2019 for an injury related to a PMD accident (including electric scooters, manual scooters, bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, and rollerblades) were included in this study. Data collected included age, sex, type of PMD used, location of the accident (roadway or sidewalk), and helmet use. The type of injury (laceration, sprain, fracture) and management (outpatient care, hospitalization, surgery) were also analyzed.

Out of 52,993 emergency consultations at our pediatric center in 2019, 10,417 were trauma-related, and 625 children met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 8.47 years. Manual or electric scooters accounted for 50.4% of the accidents. Among the children included, 22.08% sustained fractures, with 7.69% requiring surgical intervention. Helmet use was absent in 87.52% of cases. The most common injuries affected the upper limbs (34.56%) and the face (26.88%). Although the absence of helmet use was not statistically associated with greater injury severity in our study (p = 0.604), it is important to note that our center does not manage severe head trauma. Injury severity was significantly correlated with age (p = 1.724e-06) and was higher in cases involving electric PMDs (p = 1.722e-06).

Despite various prevention campaigns, PMD use remains a major source of injury in children and is one of the leading reasons for emergency visits. Helmet and protective gear use should be strongly encouraged. Injuries are more severe among adolescents using electric PMDs.

IV; descriptive epidemiological study. Non-interventional research.