THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SPORTS INJURIES IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

In the 5-year-period 1988-1992, 6096 children aged 6-17 (54.5% boys an d 45.5% girls) were treated at the Emergency Department at Esbjerg Cen tral Hospital after having sustained a sports injury. The data were re gistred according to the European Home- and Leisure-Accident Surveilla nce System (EHLASS) protocol. We found a total incidence rate in the m unicipality of Esbjerg of 73.3 per 1000 per year. Boys were most often injured in soccer, skateboard, handball, gymnastics and basketball, a nd girls in handball, horse-riding, gymnastics, basketball and roller- skating. The types of injuries were contusions 37.1%, fractures 22.0%, sprains 24.8%, wounds 9.5%, strains 5.0% and luxations 1.4%. The hosp italization rate was 3.8%. Compared to other studies the total inciden ce rate was high.