LOWER-EXTREMITY LAWN-MOWER INJURIES IN CHILDREN

Lower extremity lawn-mower injuries in children result in significant morbidity with a significant financial burden to the family and societ y. We reviewed 24 children with lower extremity lawn-mower injuries; a ll mothers completed standardized psychologic assessments of their chi ldren, and 18 children were interviewed. Fifty percent of the mothers had defensive profiles on the standardized psychologic assessment, sug gesting the likelihood of denial or underreporting of the child's psyc hologic difficulties. Therefore, we found the interview with the child to be a more accurate measure of psychologic distress. Prevention mea sures aimed at parents must emphasize that a child must not be allowed in a yard that is being mowed with a riding mower.