Citation

Vilke GM, Stepanski BM, Ray LU, Lutz MW, Murrin PA, Chan TC. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2004; 20(10): 660-663.

Affiliation

County of San Diego Division of Emergency Medical Services and Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15454739

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: On average, 24,000 children a year are treated in the emergency departments (EDs) for shopping cart injuries, with over 650 children a year requiring hospital admission. The authors sought to evaluate the incidence and outcomes of children in the community evaluated by paramedics because they were injured in shopping cart or stroller-related incidences. METHODS:: Retrospective design in which prehospital patients records were searched for all patients under 14 years old who were injured in an incident involving a shopping cart or stroller and were responded to by paramedics. Records were reviewed for demographics, injury type, and disposition. RESULTS:: During the 3 1/2 year study period, a total of 241 cases were identified with 120 being shopping cart-related and 121 stroller-related. The most frequent ages for stroller injuries were 0 to 6 months and for shopping cart injuries was one year of age. Falls were the most common mechanism of injury, 70.3% for shopping carts and 47.5% for strollers, with head injuries accounting for 53% and 59% of the primary injuries in each group. An additional 12% and 18% suffered primary facial injuries. 77% of patients were transported by paramedics to an ED for evaluation, with 19% of parents signing out against medical advice. 8.2% were admitted to the hospital and there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS:: Shopping cart and stroller-related injuries are a common mechanism of injury for pediatric patients responded to by paramedics. This is an area which continued parental education is needed.