Pediatric hoverboard and skateboard injuries

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of hoverboard injuries compared with skateboard injuries in children presenting to US emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: Data regarding hoverboard and skateboard injuries in children <18 years of age were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for calendar years 2015 and 2016. Data included demographics, body regions injured, and ED disposition. RESULTS: There were an estimated 26 854 hoverboard and 121 398 skateboard injuries treated in US EDs between 2015 and 2016. The mean and median ages for hoverboard and skateboard injuries were 11 and 13 years, respectively. In both groups, boys were more commonly injured. The majority of hoverboard injuries occurred at home, whereas skateboard injuries occurred on the street. The wrists were the most common injured body part, and fractures were the most common diagnosis in both groups. The majority of patients in both groups were discharged from the hospital. Approximately 3% of the patients with skateboard injuries and hoverboard injuries were admitted to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of injuries among hoverboard riders and skateboarders was similar. Fractures, contusions, and sprains and/or strains were the most common types of injuries in both riders. However, there was a higher number of sprains and/or strains in skateboarders when compared with hoverboard users. This difference may be attributed to the way users ride these boards. Fractures were the most common reason for hospital admission for both toys. By elucidating the characteristics of hoverboard injuries, preventive measures can be implemented to decrease the incidence of these injuries as well as ED visits.