Retrospective Study Of Sport-related Injuries In Children Visiting The Emergency Department

Sport-related injuries in children and adolescents consume substantial hospital resources. Although common in emergency department visits, national data on these injuries in children are unavailable in Turkey. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify and analyze ED visits resulting from sport-related injuries in children. Method: We analyzed data from 10,540 patients requiring orthopedic consultation in our hospital’s ED between 2014 and 2020. Medical records were reviewed to identify sport-related injuries, with 1626 patients classified based on the IOC Daily Report on Injuries. RESULT: The study found that 76.1% of patients with sports-related injuries were male and 23.9% were female. The most common activities leading to injuries were soccer (40.4%), cycling (18.5%), basketball (12.2%), and volleyball (6.8%), with other sports spanning 29 categories. Injuries primarily affected the upper extremities (62%), followed by lower extremities (35.3%) and other body parts (2.7%). The most common injuries were fractures (42.8%), followed by contusions/hematomas/bruises (28.5%), and sprains (19.1%), with less frequent injuries including dislocations/subluxations (3.6%), muscle strains (1.5%), lacerations/abrasions (1.2%), and other types (3.3%). Non-contact traumas were the leading cause (53.4%), followed contact with moving objects (21.6%)/stagnant objects (12.2%)/other athletes (9.8%), overuse (1.8%), and other causes (1.2%).By age, 6.8% of injuries were reported in children aged 1-6 years, with most resulting from cycling (55.9%), followed by soccer (21.6%), skating (5.4%), and 17.1% from other activities. Children aged 7-12 accounted for 46.6% of injuries, with soccer being the leading cause (39.5%), followed by cycling (22.7%), basketball (10.7%), skating (8.5%), and 18.6% from other activities. The 13-17 age group also represented 46.6% of injuries, with 44.1% related to soccer, 15.4% to basketball, 11.1% to volleyball, 8.8% to cycling, and 20.6% from other activities. CONCLUSION: This is the first study investigating sport-related injuries among children visiting ED in Turkey. Understanding the demographic data of patients with these injuries can enhance patient care. The findings also suggest which activities are more commonly practiced and the associated injury rates.