Escalator-related injuries in children

Escalator-related trauma is uncommon but can cause significant injury. This study reviewed escalator-related injuries in children to determine risk factors, types of injuries, medical interventions, and long-term outcomes.

Retrospective clinical patient series, Municipal Hospital Pediatric Emergency Service. Participants. All children less than 18 years of age who presented to the Pediatric Emergency Service with an escalator-related injury from August 1990 through February 1995.

We reviewed the chart and interviewed the parent of each child by telephone. We collected the following information: age, gender, child's supervision and activity while on the escalator, escalator location, direction of motion, presence of escalator defects, nature and extent of injury, medical interventions, and outcome.

Twenty-six children had escalator-related injuries. The average age was 6 years (range, 2-16). Thirteen children (50%) were 2 to 4 years old. There were 15 (57%) boys. Eighteen children (69%) were accompanied by an adult. All children 7 years and younger were accompanied by an adult; however, 50% were not holding the hand of their guardian. Eight children (31%) were injured while riding improperly, ie, walking, running, playing, or sitting on the escalator, and among these, all who were standing fell down before the injury. Six (23%) children were injured while stepping off the escalator. Of 9 children less than 4 years old, 7 (78%) were riding the escalator properly. Of 9 children 4 years or older, only 3 (33%) were riding properly. Circumstances of injury included falling down with subsequent blunt trauma, falling down with subsequent entrapment of an extremity, and entrapment of an extremity not related to falling down. Locations of entrapment were between two steps, between a step and the side-rail, and between the last step and the comb plate. Twenty-one (81%) injuries occurred in rail or subway stations. Eight escalators were reported to have functional or structural problems. Seventeen (65%) children sustained lower extremity injuries and 8 (31%) sustained upper extremity injuries. Injuries included lacerations, avulsions and degloving injuries of the extremities, tendon and nerve lacerations, and digit fractures and amputations. Thirteen (50%) children were admitted to the hospital for operative management; the average length of hospitalization was 13 days (range 1-29). Four children (15%) suffered significant functional loss, and 12 (46%) sustained permanent cosmetic deformities.

Children are at risk for sustaining severe injuries on escalators. Young age, inadequate adult supervision, improper activity while riding on the escalator, and escalator-related mechanical problems all increase the risk of injury. Public and parent education directed toward escalator safety issues may help to reduce escalator-related injuries in children.