Epidemiology of severe paediatric trauma following winter sport accidents

Abstract

Aim This study describes the epidemiology of severe injuries related to winter sports (skiing, snowboarding and sledding) in children and assesses potential preventive actions. Methods A single‐centre retrospective study performed at Pediatric or Adult Intensive Care Unit in the French Alps. All patients less than 15 years old, admitted to the Intensive Care Unit following a skiing, snowboarding or sledding accident from 2011 to 2018, were included. Results We included 186 patients (mean age 10.6 years and 68% were male); of which 136 (73%), 21 (11%) and 29 (16%) had skiing, snowboarding and sledding accidents, respectively. The average ISS (injury severity score) was 16. The major lesions were head (n = 94 patients, 51%) and intra‐abdominal (n = 56 patients, 30%) injuries. Compared to skiing/snowboarding, sledding accidents affected younger children (7 vs 11 years, P < .001); most of whom did not wear a helmet (89% vs 8%, P < .001). Severity scores were statistically different amongst winter sports (ISS = 16 (IQR 9‐24) for skiing, 9 (IQR 4‐16) for snowboarding and 16 (IQR 13‐20) for sledding accident, P = .02). Conclusion Winter sports can cause severe trauma in children. Sledding accidents affect younger children that may benefit from wearing protective equipment.

Serious sledding injuries in children dramatically increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Sledding accidents generally involve younger children than skiing or snowboarding accidents, and this population has a greater risk of head injury [1,2]. Young children have proportionally larger head and a higher center of gravity, placing them at high risk for head injury.…”

“…Also, icy slopes increase the speed and severity of impact in case of a fall [3]. Despite this increased risk, helmet use in sledding is still unusual compared to skiing and snowboarding [1,4]. As evidenced for skiing and snowboarding [5], helmets probably signi cantly reduce the risk of head and neck injuries in children sledding.…”

“…Sledding is the most popular activity in young children given its cost and simplicity. A previous study by Maisonneuve et al showed that sledding accidents result in serious injuries, especially head injuries [1]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, French ski resorts were forced to close.…”

Highlights in this issue

“…A retrospective study by Maisonneuve et al looked at 186 patients who were less than 15 years old when they were admitted to an intensive care unit in the French Alps following a skiing, snowboarding or sledging accident in 2011 to 2018. The authors’ aim was to describe the epidemiology of severe injuries related to winter sports and assess potential preventive actions 9 . The major lesions that were reported were head and intra‐abdominal injuries.…”

“…8 The authors' aim was to describe the epidemiology of severe injuries related to winter sports and assess potential preventive actions. 9 The major lesions that were reported were head and intra-abdominal injuries. Compared to skiing and snowboarding accidents, sledging accidents tended to affect younger children who did not wear a helmet.…”