SPECIFICS OF PEDIATRIC INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICES

Injuries among children resulting from the use of personal electric mobility devices are common and contribute to a range of adverse societal outcomes, including increased financial strain on healthcare systems, instances of disability, pediatric mortality, and other related consequences. Consequently, investigating the characteristics of pediatric injuries associated with this type of trauma is of paramount importance, as the findings may serve as a foundation for the development and implementation of preventive strategies. Objective. To delineate the structure of pediatric trauma and injury mechanisms associated with personal electric mobility devices across different age groups; to compare injury patterns resulting from electric scooters, hoverboards, and electric bicycles; and to examine the correlation between the use of basic protective equipment and the manifestation of trauma. Materials and Methods. The study utilized forensic medical data, including radiographic and computed tomography (CT) imaging, sourced from inpatient records at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Children's Clinical Hospital and forensic medical examinations conducted at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Bureau of Forensic Medicine. The sample comprised 50 children aged 4–18 years who sustained injuries while using personal electric mobility devices. Results. Traumatic brain injuries accounted for 72% of cases involving electric scooters, 24% for hoverboards, and 3% for electric bicycles. Neck trauma was observed in 75% of electric scooter cases, 25% for hoverboards, and none for electric bicycles. Upper limb injuries were reported in 45% of electric scooter cases, 48% for hoverboards, and 6% for electric bicycles. Lower limb injuries were documented in 56% of electric scooter cases, 37% for hoverboards, and 5% for electric bicycles. Chest trauma was most prevalent in electric bicycle cases (75%), followed by hoverboards (20%) and electric scooters (5%). The absence of basic protective equipment was found to significantly influence the frequency of injuries among children. Conclusions. The study elucidated the structure of pediatric trauma associated with the use of personal electric mobility devices. The findings demonstrated that the lack of basic protective equipment significantly impacts the incidence of injuries among children across various age groups.