Sledding While Towed Behind Motorized Vehicles Associates with More Severe and Lethal Injuries
jpedsurg.org shows its articles on its own site.
Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Mar 2022 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Retrospective study of 67 pediatric sledding injuries found that children towed behind motorized vehicles sustained significantly more severe injuries (higher ISS, lower GCS) compared to gravity-powered sledding, with increased need for transfusion, intubation, ICU care, and two fatalities. Motorized sledding was independently associated with 9.7-fold increased injury severity, highlighting critical targets for community safety education.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Introduction
Our institution has recently experienced an increase in sledding-related injuries, particularly when towed behind motorized vehicles. The purpose of this study was to characterize injury severity and clinical outcomes between pediatric patients who sustain injuries due to motorized sledding accidents to aid in injury prevention messaging.
Methods
This retrospective study queried all patients who presented with a sledding-related injury to a single ACS-verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center located in the Southeastern United States between 01/2015 to 01/2022. Demographics, injury details, and clinical outcomes were compared between two groups: patients towed behind a motorized vehicle (MOTOR) and those who were not (GRAVITY).
Results
Of the 67 patients included in our analysis, 15 (22%) were in the MOTOR group. Patients in the MOTOR group presented with significantly higher injury severity (ISS) and lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores. Additionally, patients in this MOTOR group more often received a blood transfusion and intubation, had longer intensive care and overall hospital lengths of stay, and incurred higher hospital costs. In a multivariate analysis, the use of a motorized vehicle to sled was independently associated with increased ISS (OR: 9.7, 95% CI 1.9-17.5; p=0.02). Two deaths occurred after sledding while being towed behind a motorized vehicle.
Conclusion
Children experiencing sledding accidents while being towed by motorized vehicles sustain significantly more severe injuries and require more intensive treatments that together lead to increased hospital costs. These findings provide the framework for community educational initiatives and injury prevention measures to mitigate risk among children engaged in sledding.
Level of Evidence
IV Retrospective Cohort Study