2009 Southern Regional Meeting Abstracts

Purpose of Study: Participation in sports is a popular activity for children across the country. Prevention of sports-related injuries can be improved if details of injuries are documented and studied.
Methods Used: A retrospective medical record review of injuries that occurred as a direct result of sports participation (both organized and unorganized play) from November 2006 to November 2007. Because the vast majority of injuries were a result of participation in football or basketball, these injuries were focused upon. The injuries specifically examined were closed head injury (CHI), lacerations and fractures.
Summary of Results: There were 390 football and 196 basketball injuries (total 586). Comparing injuries between the two groups fractures were found to be more prevalent in basketball compared to football (z=2.14; p=0.03; 95%CI (0.01, 0.16)). Lacerations were less prevalent among helmeted patients than those without helmets (z=2.39; p=0.02;
95%CI (-0.17,-0.03)). CHI was more prevalent among organized play compared to unorganized (z=3.9; p<0.001; 95%CI (0.06, 0.16)). Among basketball related visits, unorganized play had a higher prevalence of injury compared to organized play. (z=2.87;p=0.004; 95%CI (0.04, 0.21)). Among football related visits, organized play had a higher prevalence of injury compared to unorganized play (z=2.87; p=0.004; 95%CI (0.04,0.21)). No differences in fracture or laceration prevalence were found between organized and unorganized play.
Conclusions: Football and basketball related injuries are common complaints in a pediatric Emergency Department. Frequently seen injuries include CHI, fractures and lacerations. In our institution, fractures were more prevalent among the basketball players. Surprisingly, CHI was more prevalent among organized sports participants.