Trauma in children due to wheeled recreational devices

Aim The aim of this study was to describe trauma in children secondary to the use of wheeled recreational devices ( WRDs ). Methods This study retrospectively described trauma secondary to use of WRDs sustained by children 16 years or younger over a period of 12 months at two tertiary paediatric hospitals in B risbane, Q ueensland. Data were analysed from the P aediatric T rauma R egistry at these two facilities. Data were also retrieved from The C ommission for C hildren and Y oung P eople and C hild G uardian to provide information regarding deaths in Q ueensland from the use of WRDs for the period J anuary 2004 to S eptember 2013. Outcome measures included age, gender, types of injuries, I njury S everity S cores, admission to I ntensive C are, and length of hospital stay for all hospital admissions greater than 24 h. Results A total number of 45 children were admitted with trauma relating to WRDs during the 12 months, representing 5.3% of all trauma admissions of greater than 24 h during this time period. Of these, 34 were male with a median age of 11.0 years ( IQR  = 9–13). Limbs accounted for the majority (54.5%) of injuries, with other common injuries being spine/cranial fractures (14.5%), lacerations (12.7%), internal organ injuries (9.1%), and intracranial bleeds (9.1%). There were six admissions to the P aediatric I ntensive C are U nit and one death. Conclusions WRDs contribute significantly to injuries sustained by children. A large proportion of these injuries may be preventable, suggesting that mandating the use of protective equipment in Q ueensland may be of great benefit.