An Audit of Sports Injuries in Children Attending an Accident & Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: To assess the incidence of attendance, type of injury, sport involved and management of sports injuries in children attending an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. Method: Children, aged between 5–16 years, presenting with an injury related to sport, were studied over a period of three months. Results: 1858 children attended the A&E department during the three month period. 238 (12.8%) were classified as sports injuries. Boys (71%) were injured more frequently than girls (29%). Injury rates in boys peaked at 14 years whereas in girls a peak occurred earlier at 12 years. Football was the most common sport implicated in injuries (39%). Rollerblading (14%), Rugby (8%), Basketball (7%) and Physical Education at school (7%) were the next most frequently involved sports. Soft tissue injuries dominated (61%). The upper limb was the most common anatomical area injured (46%). Other injuries involved the lower limb (36%), head and neck (15%) and the trunk (3%). Injuries to the wrist were the most frequent presentation accounting for 30 fractures and 30 soft tissue injuries (23%). The majority of children were discharged from the A&E department after treatment (71%). 16% were reviewed at out-patient clinics and 3% required hospital admission. No children were referred for physiotherapy. Conclusion: Children participate in sport and can be injured. The majority of sports injuries presenting to an A&E department appear to be of a minor nature and could be managed with simple first aid techniques by parents, teachers and coaches at the scene or by attending primary care in the first instance. Supervision of children, participation in organised sport and the use of protection devices may help to prevent serious injury.