J Korean Med Sci.  2017 Mar;32(3):534-541. 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.3.534.

Playground Equipment Related Injuries in Preschool-Aged Children: Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance

• Bae S
• Lee JS
• Kim KH
• Park J
• Shin DW
• Kim H
• Park JM
• Kim H
• Jeon W

• KMID: 2366653
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2017.32.3.534

Abstract

In this study, we investigated playground equipment related injuries in preschool-aged children. This was a retrospective observational study using Emergency Department based Injury In-depth Surveillance, (2011-2014). We included the preschool-aged children with playground equipment related injuries. We surveyed the mechanism and incidence of injuries, and estimated the odds ratio (OR) of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and upper/lower extremities fracture. There were 6,110 patients, mean age was 4.14 ± 1.95 years old. Slide and swing related injuries were 2,475 (40.5%) and 1,102 (18.0%). Fall down (48.5%) was the most common mechanism. The OR of TBI in children 0-2 years old was 1.88 times higher than children 3-7 years old, and in swing was 4.72 (OR, 4.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.37-9.40) times higher than seesaw. The OR of upper extremity fracture in children 3-7 years old was 3.07 times higher than children 0-2 years old, and in climbing was 2.03 (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.63-2.52) times higher than swing. The OR of lower extremity fractures in horizontal bars, tightropes, and trampolines was 2.95 (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.55-5.61) times higher than swing. The most common mechanism and playground equipment were fall down and slide. TBI was associated to younger children (0-2 years old) and swing. Fracture of upper extremities was associated to older children (3-7 years old) and climbing. Fracture of lower extremities was associated to others such as horizontal bars, tightropes, and trampolines.

Keyword

Preschool Child; Wounds and Injuries; Play and Playthings; Brain Injuries; Bone Fracture

MeSH Terms

Brain Injuries
Child*
Child, Preschool
Emergencies*
Emergency Service, Hospital
Extremities
Fractures, Bone
Humans
Incidence
Lower Extremity
Observational Study
Odds Ratio
Play and Playthings
Retrospective Studies
Upper Extremity
Wounds and Injuries

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The flow diagram of the patients enrolled.

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  Fig. 2 The mechanism of playground-related injuries.

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  Fig. 3 The diagnosis of playground-related injuries.

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  Fig. 4 The type of playground equipment causing injuries.

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