Football-related injuries among 6- to 17-year-olds treated in US emergency departments, 1990-2007.
Football is one of the most popular youth sports in the United States despite the high rate of injuries. Previously published studies have investigated football-related injuries that occurred in organized play but have excluded those that occurred during unorganized play. Through use of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, cases of football-related injuries were identified for analysis. Sample weights were used to calculate national estimates. An estimated 5 252 721 children and adolescents 6 to 17 years old were treated in US emergency departments for football-related injuries. The annual number of cases increased by 26.5% over the 18-year study period. The 12- to 17-year-old age group accounted for 77.8% of all injuries and had nearly twice the odds of sustaining a concussion. The findings suggest the need for increased prevention efforts to lower the risk of football-related injury in children and adolescents.
Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
Adam D
AD
Nation
Nicolas G
NG
Nelson
Ellen E
EE
Yard
R Dawn
RD
Comstock
Lara B
LB
McKenzie
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology