Horse‐related injuries in children

Abstract

Objectives To identify the frequency, spectrum and outcome of horse‐related injuries in children. Design and setting Retrospective case series of horse‐related injuries in children admitted to the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) from January 1988 to December 1999, the John Hunter Children's Hospital (JHCH) from January 1991 to December 1997 and deaths reported to the New South Wales Paediatric Trauma Death (NPTD) Registry from January 1988 to December 1999. Main outcome measures Circumstances of injury; helmet use; adult supervision; type and number of injuries identified. Results 232 children were admitted with horse‐related trauma, 97 to the CHW over 12 years and 135 to JHCH over seven years, with one death at each hospital. There were six deaths reported to the NPTD Registry over 12 years. The median age was 11 years (range, 1–17). Girls accounted for 65% of those injured and 75% of children were injured while riding. Falls caused the injury in 76.3% of cases. Head and upper‐limb trauma accounted for 216 of the injuries (73%). Five out of six children with severe head injuries died. In the CHW group, helmet use was documented in only 24 riders (38%) and adult supervision in 22 (22.9%). Conclusions Horse‐related trauma accounts for a considerable number of deaths and injuries in children in NSW. The use of a Standards‐approved helmet for riding or horse‐related activities might have decreased the severity of head injuries.

Causes and Mechanisms of Death in Fatal Water Buffalo Attacks

“…In China, donkeys are also a potential danger . Due to their relatively small size, children are the most vulnerable, although adult males (over the age of 65 years) are the usual victims, reflecting their greater exposure to dangerous situations . Injuries to the head and chest are the most serious and result from victims being butted or kicked .…”

Paediatric horse‐related trauma

“…The majority of injuries occur in adolescent females secondary to falls while riding Helmet use is infrequently documented despite severe traumatic brain injury being a major contributor to mortality …”

“…Past studies primarily include adults and paediatric patients . Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) for <24 h are infrequently included, and details on the injuries sustained and surgeries performed are limited …”

“…It is well documented that the paediatric population differs from that of adults, with the highest incidence of injury occurring in females aged over 9 years . Common mechanisms of injury are falls and kicks . Falls are often associated with severe injuries .…”

“…There are no studies that adequately assess morbidity following horse‐related trauma in paediatric patients. Increased adult supervision and the use of helmets for children partaking in horse‐related activities are recommended prevention strategies …”