Snowmobile injuries and fatalities in children

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery 2003-05, Vol.38 (5), p.784-787
• Main Authors: DeCou, James M., Fagerman, Lynn E., Ropele, Diana, Uitvlugt, Neal D., Schlatter, Marc G., Connors, Robert H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents - mortality; Accidents - statistics & numerical data; Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniocerebral Trauma - epidemiology; Craniocerebral Trauma - etiology; Craniocerebral Trauma - mortality; Female; Head Protective Devices - utilization; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Male; Medical sciences; Michigan - epidemiology; Miscellaneous; Multiple Trauma - epidemiology; Multiple Trauma - etiology; Multiple Trauma - mortality; Off-Road Motor Vehicles - statistics & numerical data; Snow Sports - injuries; snowmobile; Trauma; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/jpsu.2003.50167

Background/Purpose: Snowmobiling is a popular form of wintertime recreation but can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To better understand snowmobile trauma in children, medical records were reviewed, evaluating the relationships between demographic data, mechanisms, and resultant injuries. In addition, because prior studies of childhood snowmobile fatalities have reviewed only national databases, state and national data were combined to evaluate possible underreporting. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of children ≤17 years old admitted to one trauma center between 1991 and 2000 with snowmobile-related injuries. Demographics, helmet usage, driver versus passenger, mechanism, injuries, injury severity score (ISS), and outcome data were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to identify relationships between potential causative factors and ISS. State mortality data were acquired from state agencies and 2 databases of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Data from the 3 sources were compared, and a single list of fatalities was compiled and evaluated. Results: Thirty-one children (65% boys; mean age, 12 years) were admitted with snowmobile-related injuries. Fifty-two percent were driving the snowmobile. Helmet usage was 68%. The most common mechanisms were collisions with a fixed object (42%) and with a motor vehicle (35%). The head was the most commonly injured site (71%) followed by the extremities (58%). ISS ranged from 1 to 38 (median, 10). Increased age and the child driving were the only factors associated with increased ISS (P