Pediatric mobility aid-related injuries treated in US emergency departments from 1991 to 2008.
OBJECTIVE
Although mobility aids such as crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs are typically beneficial, they can be associated with injury. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence, patterns, and trends of pediatric mobility aid-related injuries to children and adolescents who were aged < or = 19 years and treated in US emergency departments between 1991 and 2008.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database for children and adolescents who were aged < or = 19 years. Sample weights were used to calculate national estimates of mobility aid-related injuries on the basis of 2301 actual cases.


RESULTS
An estimated 63 309 cases of children and adolescents who were aged < or = 19 years were treated in US emergency departments for mobility aid-related injuries. Approximately 70% of mobility aid- related injuries occurred while patients were using wheelchairs. Children who were aged 2 to 10 years were more likely to sustain injuries while using walkers and wheelchairs, injure their heads, and sustain traumatic brain injuries. Children who were aged 11 to 19 years were more likely to sustain injuries while using crutches, injure their lower extremities, and sustain sprains and strains. Injuries involving wheelchairs were more likely to be traumatic brain injuries and result in hospitalization. Injuries involving crutches were more likely to involve misuse and be triggered by stairs or curbs.


CONCLUSIONS
Injuries related to crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs have distinct injury patterns, mechanisms of injury, and trigger factors. Injury patterns between younger and older children were different. Additional research is needed to identify effective injury prevention strategies for the pediatric population.
Barnard
Alison M
AM
Center for Injury Research and Policy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
Nelson
Nicolas G
NG
Xiang
Huiyun
H
McKenzie
Lara B
LB
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D002183:Canes; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014853:Walkers; D014910:Wheelchairs; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult