[Scooter injuries or a chronicle of a new epidemic. Apropos of a prospective study of Geneva cases].

Aim: Confronted with an increasing number of an unpowered scooter-related injury and an absence of available data in the literature, we undertook a prospective and exploratory study, in order to assess the circumstances and trauma consequences of this kind of injury.

Method: Between the 15th of August 2000 and the 15th of November 2000, each child consulting our emergency room for a scooter-related injury was questioned about the circumstances of the accident and his general scooter experience. Data about all injuries and there treatment were collected.

Results: 32 children (16 B/16 G) with a the mean age of 10.1 +/- 2.3 years have consulted. Eight children (25%) required hospitalization. In almost half of the cases, the injury was caused by direct or indirect material facts. No child was wearing protection at the time of the accident. Fracture was the most frequent injury (55%) and the upper limb was concerned by almost half of the lesions. Four fractures required osteosynthesis (12.5%) and six treatments a general anesthesia (19%). The severity of injury and the treatment were more substantial when the unpowered scooters were used for transport rather than for playing.

Conclusion: Our short study gives a first estimation of the potential danger of the unpowered scooter and its confrontation with the traffic, without prevention given by the law or the producer. However this product can lead to important injuries.