National Epidemiology of Go-Kart–Related Craniofacial Injuries in the United States, 2015–2024: An Analysis of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System

Go-karts are popular recreational vehicles capable of high speeds yet operate with minimal safety regulations, posing a significant risk for craniofacial injury. This study quantifies the national epidemiology of craniofacial trauma related to go-kart accidents. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2015 to 2024. Emergency department visits were identified using the go-kart product code and body-region codes for craniofacial injuries. Weighted data provided national estimates of injury patterns by age, sex, body region, injury type, and annual trends. Go-kart crashes resulted in an estimated 30,411 emergency visits over the 10-year period. Males accounted for 54% of injuries. The highest injury rates occurred among children aged 10 to 14 years (26.9%), followed by ages 5 to 9 (17.7%) and 15 to 19 (15.4%). The head was the most commonly injured site (50%), followed by the neck (23%), face (21%), and mouth (6%). Internal injuries predominated (24%), alongside lacerations (17%), contusions and abrasions (16%), strains and sprains (13%), and fractures (8%). Annual injury counts peaked in 2024 (4396 cases) and were lowest during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (2197 cases). The overall hospitalization rate was 6.3%, totaling ~1912 admissions. Go-kart accidents result in substantial craniofacial injuries, particularly among pediatric populations, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures. Mandatory helmet use, structural safety enhancements, and age-specific regulations are recommended to reduce preventable injuries based on these nationally representative findings.