Abstract
Dirt-bike and motocross riding are popular recreational activities in New Zealand. There are many competitive and recreational events organised for children within our catchment area every year. T he aims of this study were to document the pattern of paediatric motorbike injuries admitted at our level one trauma centre.
Retrospective analysis of all patients under the age of 16 who were admitted to Waikato Hospital following a motorbike accident from January 2006 to May 2008. Patients were identifying using ICD 10 coding (U 651). Patient notes were retrieved and reviewed. Patients were excluded if they were not admitted from the emergency department.
There were 70 admissions identified in 58 patients on ICD coding. Three admissions were excluded. Nine patients had two or more separate admissions during the study period. Fifty-seven were male and the average age was 12.5 (range 6 to 15). There were 21 admissions in 2006, 27 in 2007 and 19 in the first five months of 2008. 64 (96%) were admitted under the orthopaedic/trauma service. 87% were helmeted and 73% were wearing protective gear. Motocross riding was responsible for 60% of admissions. No patients died. One patient had documented loss of consciousness at the scene and the mean injury severity score was 5.8 (range 1 to 27). There were 108 documented injuries and 28% of patients had multiple injuries. Of all injuries, lower extremity (33%) and upper extremity (28%) and head injuries (12%) were most common. Three percent of patients required surgery with 24.4% of these requiring multiple anaesthetics. The average length of stay was three days (range 1 to 10). One patient was transferred to another centre for spinal surgery and rehabilitation.
Severe motorbike injuries are common in Waikato. The number of severe injuries is increasing. Most injuries are associated with motocross and more than half require surgery. This increasing workload has financial implications on orthopaedic, trauma and emergency departments. Children riding motorbikes should wear helmets and protective gear at all times.
Correspondence should be addressed to Associate Professor N. Susan Stott, Orthopaedic Department, Starship Children’s Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand.
