Characteristics of Head and Neck Injuries Among Pediatric Ice Skaters in the United States

Purpose Injuries sustained while ice skating are common; however, the prevalence, distribution, and anatomical location of head and neck injuries (HNI) are not well known. The purpose of this study was to describe patterns in ice-skating-related head and neck injuries in children. Study design This was a retrospective review. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of data involving children aged 18 years and younger from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a public database containing information from approximately 100 emergency departments across the United States. We utilized data from January 2002 to December 2021. Data gathered included patient demographics, injury type, injury location, injury outcome, and year of incidence. Results A total of 2686 ice-skating injuries were identified. 1594 (59%) of those involved the face, neck, ear, chin, nose, forehead, or mandible. Of these, 1023/1594 (64%) occurred in males and 571/1594 (36%) in females; 1653 (62%) patients sustained a laceration. The most commonly affected site of HNI was the chin, with 911/1594 (57%) injuries. Injuries to the neck were most commonly a sprain/strain with 32 injuries, while those affecting the mandible were most commonly a fracture with 4 injuries. Conclusion Young ice-skaters are most likely to sustain lacerations or other injuries to the chin.