SKIING INJURIES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objective: A study of major skiing injuries in children and adolescent s. Design and materials and methods: A 5-year retrospective study of p atients 18 years old and under admitted to a pediatric trauma center a fter skiing accidents. A follow-up questionnaire was used to obtain ad ditional information. Measurements and main results: Thirty-eight pati ents, of which 34 were male. Age range was 5 to 18 years. Fifty-eight percent of the accidents were collisions with stationary objects. Alco hol and drugs were not implicated, Helmet use was negligible. Head inj uries, especially skull fractures, were very common (27), followed by extremity fractures (13), facial fractures (8), and abdominal (6), tho racic (5), and spinal injuries (2). One third had multiple injuries, T he average cost was $22,000, There were no deaths, but 26% had long-te rm sequelae, The skill breakdown was 26% beginner, 29% intermediate, 4 5% advanced. Willingness to accept responsibility for the accident cor related inversely with skill level. Conclusions: Prevention efforts mu st target excessive speed and loss of control, Beginners must be well supervised on appropriate terrain. The frequency of skull fractures su ggests that helmet use should be encouraged for young recreational ski ers.