Electric scooter (e-scooter) use and resulting injuries have grown exponentially since expansion into ridesharing in 2017. No study has described pediatric e-scooter injuries and focused on their impact in an adolescent cohort. Our primary purpose was to describe the epidemiology of admitted pediatric e-scooter injuries and compare them with existing literature on adults. We queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for e-scooter injuries between 2015 and 2019 in patients 0-18 years old. Injuries caused by an e-scooter to a nonrider were removed. Patients admitted to the hospital were analyzed and weighted national estimates were calculated. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Nine hundred and two pediatric patients were treated for an e-scooter injury at an emergency department (ED) between 2015 and 2019. Among those admitted (n = 47), 72.3% were men, and the average age at injury was 11.3 years. Among all injuries (n = 56), the most common diagnosis was fracture (24/56, 42.9%). The 19% (9/47) of patients that experienced polytrauma were significantly older than those with single injuries (P < 0.001). ED admissions grew by 616% from 2017 to 2018. Children experience a greater rate of fractures and polytrauma from e-scooters compared to adults, but fewer facial injuries despite a similar rate of head trauma. The incidence of pediatric head injuries indicates a lack of helmet use similar to adults. Lawmakers should consider bolstering e-scooter regulations to decrease pediatric injuries.
The popularity of eco-friendly electric scooters has led to a rise in significant injuries, especially in adolescents. Teens riding e-scooters are more prone to severe traffic accidents and head injuries compared to those using traditional scooters. Risk-taking behaviors, susceptibility to peer influence, limited road safety experience and a lack of protective headgear exacerbate the risks.
Background: The use of electric-powered scooters and bikes (e-scooters/bikes) is rising, but little is known about associated injuries and substance use. This study analysed the trends and factors associated with e-scooter/bike-related injuries and alcohol/substance use emergency department (ED) visits from 2019 to 2022.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of US ED visit data from the 2019-2022 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) identified visits for e-scooter/bike-related injuries.
Aims: Electronic (E)-scooters have become increasingly common in Ireland. Our group was the first to publish an analysis of injuries related to these devices in Ireland in 2021. Since then, the use of e-scooters has increased significantly.
Orthopedic injuries from electric scooters (e-scooters) are a significant issue in hospitals, highlighting a need for better regulations on their use.
A systematic review of 30 studies revealed that a small percentage of e-scooter riders wear helmets, and many injured riders were intoxicated; common injuries include wrist and ankle fractures.
There's a call for lawmakers to implement stricter usage guidelines to reduce the incidence of these injuries as e-scooter availability increases.*
- An increase in e-scooter usage has led to a rise in orthopedic injuries, with a study evaluating 534 patients revealing that most injuries occur in males aged 25-39.
- Injuries are more likely to happen during the summer months, particularly in July, and more people visit the hospital on Fridays and weekends, with common injuries being blunt soft tissue injuries and fractures, especially in the elbow and wrist.
- Although 86% of patients received nonsurgical treatment, there has been a noticeable increase in surgical cases in 2022 and 2023, highlighting the need for better protective equipment and stricter regulations for e-scooter riders.
