Premium
Kite flying: Ancient tradition or death trap?
Author(s) -
Singh Suvir,
Peters Nitin James,
Samuel Clarence,
Bhatti William,
Ghosh Dhruv Nath
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.12270
Subject(s) - kite , medicine , injury prevention , incidence (geometry) , occupational safety and health , poison control , medical emergency , mortality rate , suicide prevention , surgery , pathology , physics , geometry , mathematics , optics
Background Kite flying has been popular in I ndia since ancient times, especially during harvest festivals of L ohri, B asant and M akar S ankranti. It often takes form of a competitive sport and in recent times has been associated with multiple, sometimes fatal injuries. This prognostic study was conducted to try and understand the epidemiology and factors associated with kite flying injuries in the state of P unjab, I ndia. Methods Case reports of patients who presented to the ED with trauma as a result of kite flying were reviewed. The study included patients reporting to the C hristian M edical C ollege, L udhiana, between J anuary 2005 and J anuary 2010. Details of the type and mode of injury, and outcomes were recorded. Results The highest incidence of injuries occurred during months of the kite flying festivals. The most common mode of injury was fall from heights, associated with traumatic brain injury. The mortality rate in this series was 6.25%. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of kite flying injuries as a common mode of injury in children and adolescents. It is an easily preventable mode of injury with simple safety regulations and possibly stronger legislation.