Emergency department reported head injuries from skiing and snowboarding among children and adolescents, 1996-2010

作者：Graves Janessa M^*; Whitehill Jennifer M; Stream Joshua O; Vavilala Monica S; Rivara Frederick P

来源：Injury Prevention, 2013, 19(6): 399-404.

DOI：10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040727

Objectives To evaluate the incidence of snow-sports-related head injuries among children and adolescents reported to emergency departments (EDs), and to examine the trend from 1996 to 2010 in ED visits for snow-sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) among children and adolescents.
Methods A retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for patients (aged 17years) treated in EDs in the USA from 1996 to 2010, for TBIs associated with snow sports (defined as skiing or snowboarding). National estimates of snow sports participation were obtained from the National Ski Area Association and utilised to calculate incidence rates. Analyses were conducted separately for children (aged 4-12years) and adolescents (aged 13-17 years).
Results An estimated number of 78538 (95% CI 66350 to 90727) snow sports-related head injuries among children and adolescents were treated in EDs during the 14-year study period. Among these, 77.2% were TBIs (intracranial injury, concussion or fracture). The annual average incidence rate of TBI was 2.24 per 10000 resort visits for children compared with 3.13 per 10000 visits for adolescents. The incidence of TBI increased from 1996 to 2010 among adolescents (p<0.003).
Conclusions Given the increasing incidence of TBI among adolescents and the increased recognition of the importance of concussions, greater awareness efforts may be needed to ensure safety, especially helmet use, as youth engage in snow sports.

• 出版日期2013-12