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Paediatric electric-scooter injuries: an emerging public health crisis?
Lisa Sabir1, Sabrina Waheed2, Caroline Rushmer3
1Emergency Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, UK l.sabir@sheffield.ac.uk.
Background:
Electric-scooters (e-scooters) are popular worldwide although there are concerns about their regulation and safety. Since 2019, 59 deaths have been reported in the UK involving e-scooters; 10 under 18 years old. In the UK riding privately owned e-scooters is illegal unless on private land. We reviewed e-scooter injuries in patients presenting to Emergency Departments of three UK Paediatric Major Trauma Centres.
Methods:
This was a retrospective observational study of e-scooter-related injuries in patients under 16 years-old from January 2019 to December 2024 at Alder Hey Children's Hospital (AH), Sheffield Children's Hospital (SCH) and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH). Patients were identified via electronic triage records and cross-referenced with trauma lists. At RMCH, a change in software limited data collection to 2023-2024. Descriptive statistics were used with 95% CIs for key proportions.
Results:
477 patients presented with increasing incidence over the 6 year period. Median age was 12 years (IQR 10-13), with a male predominance (64.4%). Most injuries occurred to the rider (94.8%) and ≥80% were private e-scooters. 2.5% occurred on private land.Most common injuries were limb (40.6% lower, 36.2% upper), head (24.1%), and facial (18.4%) injuries. 10.4% of head injuries had an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score of 3 or 4, indicating major trauma necessitating imaging, hospital admission, and surgical intervention. Of the most seriously injured (AIS 3 or 4), 48% were from a collision with a motor vehicle or stationary object. Only 1.8% were wearing a helmet; 13.4% were admitted and 6.9% required surgery. Most injured children (74%) lived in the most deprived areas (Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 1/2).
Conclusion:
E-scooter related injuries are rising. Limb, head and facial injuries were most common, with head injuries being most severe, this has serious life-changing implications for families and significant impact on healthcare resources. There is a need for greater public awareness, clear public health messaging and review of government legislation to prevent further injuries and deaths.
