PROFILE OF PEDIATRIC BICYCLE INJURIES

Background. Bicycle injury data from local communities are important f or developing injury prevention and control programs. This study repre sents the efforts of one community trauma center to describe bicycle i njuries. Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of bicycle inj ury data from hospital charts, emergency medical services reports, and medical examiner reports. The review encompassed a 4-year period. The study sample included 211 trauma alert patients, ages I through 15 ye ars, who were treated for bicycle-related injuries at our level II ped iatric trauma center. Results. Bicycle injuries accounted for 18% of a ll pediatric trauma alert,patients. The mean age of injured children w as 10 years, and 79% were males. Bicycle-motor vehicle collisions caus ed 84% of injuries. Only 3 children (1.4%) wore bicycle helmets. Resul ting injuries included external wounds (86%), head injuries (47%), fra ctures (29%), and internal organs (9%). Six children died. Conclusions . Bicycle injuries are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity for children in our community. Use of safety helmets by child bicyclis ts is inadequate. The data from this study can be used as a baseline i n testing the effectiveness of local and state interventions, includin g new legislation mandating helmet use by children in our state.