IN-LINE SKATE AND ROLLERSKATE INJURIES IN CHILDHOOD

Objective: To describe the estimated frequency and types of injuries a ssociated with in-line skates in U.S. children and to compare in-line skating injuries to rollerskating injuries, Design: National case seri es. Setting: Emergency departments of hospitals participating in the U nited States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) National Elec tronic Injury Surveillance System. Patients: Persons with injuries ass ociated with the use of inline skates or rollerskates reported to the USCPSC in 1992 and 1993. Results: There were an estimated 66,465 injur ies associated with in-line skates; the incidence of injury was highes t in children 11 and 12 years old, An estimated 40,730 in-line skate i njuries involved children <20 years old, The mean age of injured child ren was 11.8 years (median, 12 years); 68% were boys. Fractures (45%) were the most common injury; 66% of fractures involved the distal fore arm. Five percent had head injuries. Two and one half percent required hospital admission; 90% of children admitted had a fracture and 11% h ad a head or face injury. There were an estimated 147,928 rollerskatin g injuries among children <20 years old; the mean age was 10.5 years ( median 10 years) (P < 0.001 vs in-line skates), Thirty-two percent wer e to boys (P < 0.001 vs in-line skates), Fractures were the most commo n injury; forearm fractures accounted for 72% (P < 0.001. vs in-line s kates). Five percent had head injuries. One and one half percent were admitted to the hospital (P < 0.001 vs in-line skates). In 1993, the i njury rate among children for in-line skates was 31/100,000, and the i njury rate for rollerskates was 95/100,000. Conclusions: Injuries asso ciated with in-line skates are highest among preadolescents. Injuries associated with in-line skate use are less common than injuries associ ated with rollerskate use. Distal forearm fractures are the most commo n injuries related to both in-line skate and rollerskate use. Exposure data and analysis of the efficacy of protective gear, including wrist guards and helmets, are needed.