Purpose: To describe the trend of serious injuries related to motorized recreational vehicles (MRVs) over time in a pediatric population. MRVs include all off-road motorized cycles, minibikes, mopeds, three or four wheel all terrain vehicles, and go-carts. Methods: Injury statistics for MRVs were compiled from the Children's Hospital Trauma Registry. Information was available for complete years 1992 through 2000. Automobile injuries from the same database served as a reference population. Population estimates were obtained from the U.S. Census statistics by age, gender and county. Statewide license statistics on number of automobile, motorcycle, moped, and four wheel bike registrations were obtained from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The number of injuries was adjusted by population and reported per 100,000 population to control for growth of the pediatric population in Central Ohio over the study period. Results: The Trauma Registry included 281 MRV injuries and 1066 automobile injuries. MRV injured children tended to be older (11.2, 3.4SD vs. 9.4, 4.8SD) and more likely male (82.6% vs. 51.4%). Both the rate of recreational vehicle injuries (b=4.4, R2=.88, p<.001) and the rate of automobile injuries (b=5.6, R2=.60, p=.014) increased from 1992 through 2000. However, the rate on increase for MRV injuries for both genders was greater than the rate of increase for automobile injuries (p=0.09). Conclusion: The rate of pediatric MRV injuries is increasing faster than the automobile injury rate, and therefore constitutes a major public health problem. Increased regulatory oversight of the MRV industry is needed to curb this threat in children.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Injuries, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.