Shopping trolley-related injuries to children in New Zealand, 1988-97.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiology of shopping trolley related injuries (fatalities and hospitalizations) to children in New Zealand prior to the introduction of a voluntary standard for shopping trolleys.


METHODS
To identify cases, a key word search was conducted of national mortality and hospitalization databases for the years 1988-97. Cases were limited to children under 15 years of age.


RESULTS
For the 10 year period investigated, 282 hospitalizations and no fatalities were identified. A significant increasing trend for hospitalizations was detected (chi2 = 17.6, 1 d.f.; P < 0.001). Ninety-two per cent of children hospitalized were aged under 5 years and two-thirds were aged 2 years or younger. Ninety per cent of injuries resulted from falls from trolleys, 84% of injuries were to the head or face and 22% were rated serious (AIS-3) on the Abbreviated Injury Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of injuries associated with shopping trolleys increased between 1988 and 1997. Following the introduction of a voluntary standard for shopping trolleys in 1999, which included specifications for child harnesses, trends in injury should be monitored.
Parry
M L
ML
Injury Prevention Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Morrison
L G L
LG
Chalmers
D J
DJ
Wright
C S
CS
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003132:Commerce; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control