Background: Horseback riding is a common activity among children, and as a result related injuries are common as well.
Objectives: To examine the characteristics of horse related injuries in the pediatric population.
Methods: Data of all pediatric horse related injuries presented to our level 1 trauma center during the years 2006-2016 was collected and analyzed.
Results: Fifty-three children suffering from horse related injuries were presented to our trauma center between 24.6.2006 and 2.12.2016. Forty-two patients were male (79%) and the average age was 11.13(±4.72) years. The most common mechanism of injury was falling off the horse - 28 patients (53%) and the most common type of injury was fracture - 28 patients (53%) as well. Head injuries were found in 16 patients (30%) and facial injuries were found in 11 patients (21%). Average ISS was 10.5(±6.32) while severe trauma (ISS >15) was found in 15 patients (28%). Twenty-nine patients (55%) were treated in the trauma room, 12 patients (23%) needed treatment in the ICU and 24 patients (45%) required surgery. Average length of hospital stay was 4.3(±3.14) days. A high ISS score did not predict duration of hospitalization.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that horse related trauma may involve serious injuries and has typical injury patterns. Like in other types of trauma, young boys are at highest risk. We suggest that these injuries should therefore be triaged appropriately, preferably to a medical facility with proper trauma capabilities.
