Snowmobile injuries and deaths in children: a review of national injury data and state legislation.
BACKGROUND
Snowmobiling is a popular family sport, with annual expenditures over $9 billion. The size and speed of snowmobiles make them potentially dangerous to children. Pediatric snowmobile-related trauma has not been studied in the United States.


METHODS
We analyzed 291 pediatric snowmobile- related injuries and 75 deaths reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission from 1990 to 1998. We reviewed snowmobile legislation in the states that reported at least 1 death to the Consumer Product Safety Commission during this time period.


RESULTS
The most common sites of injury were the extremities (48.8%) and the head, neck, and face (28.2%). Head and neck injuries were the predominant cause of death (66.7%). The most common diagnosis was contusion/abrasion (30.9%), followed by laceration (22%), fracture (20.3%), and strain/sprain (14.4%). Nonfatal injuries most often involved ejection from the snowmobile (26.1%), but striking a stationary object was the most common mechanism in fatal crashes. The review of state legislation revealed that few age restrictions or helmet laws exist. Children as young as 8 years old may legally operate a snowmobile in some states. Often, restrictions do not apply to snowmobile use on private property, where 43% of pediatric snowmobile-related injuries occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Head, neck, and face injuries are common nonfatal injuries and are the most common cause of death. State legislation often lacks age restrictions on private property, and laws requiring helmet use are rare. Legislators have not addressed the dangers of pediatric snowmobile-related injuries. Helmet laws and age restrictions similar to those enacted for motorcycle riders are necessary and appropriate.
Rice
M R
MR
Pediatric Trauma Services, Toledo Children's Hospital, OH 43606, USA. manda.rice@promedica.org
Alvanos
L
L
Kenney
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control