Golf cart injuries in children: the experience of trauma centers in a single state in the USA

Abstract

Golf carts remain a source of morbidity in children. We aimed to establish the incidence and injury characteristics of pediatric patients injured due to golf cart usage over an 11-year period. This is a retrospective study using a single state trauma database of patients ages 0-17 years admitted to a trauma center and who sustained injures while a golf cart was in use. Thirteen Pediatric and Adult Trauma Centers within the state of Pennsylvania were evaluated from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2014. The inclusion criteria were met by 108 patients. The mean annual incidence of injuries was 0.35/100 000. The median age of patients was 11 years. The median hospital length of stay and injury severity score were 2 days and 9.5, respectively. The majority of the patients (75.9%) sustained at least one bone fracture. Skull fractures were more prevalent (43.5%), whereas extremity fractures were sustained by 26.9% of patients. Intracranial hemorrhages were sustained by 29.6% of patients. Ejections and rollovers accounted for 58.3% and 31.4% of patient injuries, respectively. The concussion rate was 26.9%. Neither age group nor sex was associated with a difference in fractures, intracranial hemorrhage or concussions. Golf cart injuries in pediatric patients commonly stem from ejections and rollover mechanisms resulting in skull fractures, extremity fractures, intracranial hemorrhages and concussions. The overall incidence of injury was 0.35 cases per 100 000. Further efforts are needed to increase awareness of these injuries and modify regulations regarding the use of golf carts in the pediatric population.

Golf cart injuries have similar severity to all-terrain vehicle injuries in children: a multicenter comparison over a 5-year period

“…During the last several years, there has been increasing recognition of the dangers of GC use and their potential as a cause of significant trauma among pediatric providers. [2][3][4] Our data adds to the current discourse surrounding GC, their increasing use as personal transport, and the increasing number of GC injuries as a result. The potential for injury with ATV use has long been recognized.…”

“…There is mounting data to suggest that the severity of GC injuries in the pediatric population is underappreciated. [1][2][3][4] To clarify the frequency and severity of injury in pediatric patients from GC incidents and compare them with those of ATVs, a review of trauma databases from multiple trauma centers in a single state was performed. Our hypothesis was that both GC and ATV injuries would show an increase over time and that the severity of GC injuries is on par with those injuries sustained in ATV traumas.…”

A Scoping Review of the Epidemiology, Management, and Outcomes of Golf-Related Fractures

“…Ejection and rollover were the most common mechanisms of injury, and the most common position for an injured golf cart occupant was a passenger (52.2%). A study of 108 golf cart-injured patients up to the age of 17 years revealed that the majority of the patients (75.9%) sustained at least one bone fracture (89). The majority of injuries occurred in children (50.8%) who seem to be more vulnerable to golf cart-related injuries than adults (90,91).…”