Skateboarding injuries in children: a second wave

Article Abstract:

A report is presented concerning skateboard injuries to children in the 1980s, a period during which the injury rate declined, then rose again to levels similar to those in the late 1970s. Data were analyzed from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for 1976 and 1977 (peak skateboarding injury years) and for 1984 and 1985. Results showed that more than 150,000 skateboard-related injuries occurred in 1977; the incidence declined thereafter to 16,836 in 1983. However, the incidence increased in the next two years; the numbers were 19,182 and 37,180 injuries in 1984 and 1985. In 1986, the number of injuries was still higher (81,000). Most (88 percent) skateboarding injuries occurred to people younger than 20, and 83 percent of these involved boys. Approximately three fourths of the injuries involved the extremities. Older children had a smaller proportion of injuries to the head, and a greater proportion of injuries to the extremities. Injury severity was rated as mild, moderate, or severe; for those younger than 20, moderate injuries predominated. Although older children had a greater proportion of mild injuries (of all types) than younger children, the proportion of severe head and neck injuries increased with age. A common cause was collision between the moving skateboard and an obstacle. Thirty-six deaths from skateboard-related accidents were reported between 1984 and 1987, of which 21 involved motor vehicles. A greater proportion of the injured children in the 1980s than the 1970s were boys, and younger children accounted for a greater proportion of injuries from this cause in the 1980s. A discussion is presented of some ways these injuries could be prevented. They include banning skateboarding for children younger than five, who do not have sufficient coordination and judgment. Since head injury is the most common cause of severe injury and death, protective headgear should be used. Finally, skateboards should not be used in streets or highways. An account is presented of efforts by one of the report's authors to convince legislators and citizens of the importance of these measures. The efforts were largely unsuccessful. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Safety and security measures, Statistics, Skateboarding

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Childhood injury mortality in Ohio, 1979 to 1986: setting priorities for prevention

Article Abstract:

In Ohio, injury deaths of children from 1 to 16 years of age account for six percent of all years of life lost before age 65. A study was conducted in this state which assessed the types of injuries that have led to death, excess deaths by age group, injury type, and population group. The population groups surveyed were metropolitan white, metropolitan non-white, and nonmetropolitan. The age groups studied were 1 to 5, 6 to 11, and 12 to 16. Overall, the leading cause of fatal injuries was motor vehicle crashes. Fire was the leading cause of death in metropolitan nonwhite boys and girls, and in nonmetropolitan white girls. Fire and homicide was a leading cause among metropolitan nonwhite boys. By age group, the major cause of death was fire (ages 1 to 5); pedestrian vehicular accidents (ages 6 to 11); and motor vehicle crashes (ages 12 to 16). For nonmetropolitan children, drowning was the leading cause of death for boys; motor vehicle occupant injuries was the major cause of death for girls; fire was the next most frequent cause of death for both sexes. This data is useful in developing prevention programs. Top priorities for prevention efforts are motor vehicle deaths in 12 to 16-year-old children, both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan; prevention of fire deaths in metropolitan nonwhite children in the 1 to 11 age group; and drowning deaths in the 12 to 16-year-old group of all population categories. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Mortality, Patient outcomes, Death, Ohio

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Childhood lawn dart injuries: summary of 75 patients and patient report

Article Abstract:

Lawn darts can be very lethal devices and have caused numerous injuries; they are responsible for 675 visits to the emergency department each year. Most injuries due to lawn darts are sustained by children. Unfortunately, there is limited medical knowledge about lawn dart injuries. The cases of 75 children injured by lawn darts were reviewed. They were between 1 and 18 years, with 3.1 times more males suffering injuries as compared to females. The sites of injuries included the head in 54 percent of cases; the eye in 17 percent; and the face in 11 percent. Forty-one of the 75 patients required hospitalization because of their injury. The sequelae or events following an injury by a lawn dart included blindness in one eye and brain damage. Death occurred in four percent of cases. The extent of lawn dart-related head injuries should be evaluated thoroughly by the use of computed tomography (CT) scan, a diagnostic imaging technique. Although the sale of lawn darts was recently banned, it is estimated that 10 to 15 million sets of lawn darts can be found in American homes. Pediatricians should try to discourage parents from keeping lawn darts. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Pediatric emergencies, Darts (Game)

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