A 10-Year Retrospective Review of Playground-Associated Craniofacial Injuries in the Pediatric Patient Population

This retrospective study utilized the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database to identify pediatric emergency department (ED) patients with playground-associated craniofacial injuries between January 2012 and December 2021. A total of 25 414 patients were identified. The majo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pediatrics 2024-06, Vol.63 (5), p.680-688
Main Authors: Kolbow, Madison, Quick, Joseph D., Powell, Lauren E., Wang, Qi, Nguyen, Minh-Doan T., Barta, Ruth J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Emergency medical care
Epidemiology
Face
Head injuries
Health risks
Injuries
Pediatrics
Playgrounds
Population studies
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Summary:This retrospective study utilized the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database to identify pediatric emergency department (ED) patients with playground-associated craniofacial injuries between January 2012 and December 2021. A total of 25 414 patients were identified. The majority of injuries occurred in preschool and elementary school–age children (90.3%) and patients were more commonly boys (59.3%). Injuries most often involved the head/scalp (52.4%), face (30.4%), and mouth (11.9%). Infant (32.7%) and teen (40.0%) injuries most commonly involved swings, whereas preschool (23.1%) and elementary school (28.1%) injuries were mostly associated with slides and climbers, respectively. Most patients were treated in the ED and discharged to home (96.5%), a small portion required hospitalization (1.6%), and one death was reported. Although the majority of the injuries were relatively minor and resulted in same-day discharges, these injuries can result in serious physical harm, emotional stress, and unexpected financial burdens. Proper education and supervision regarding safe play is important to prevent these injuries.
ISSN:0009-9228
1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/00099228231219871