english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2012 > In the February issue of Prescrire International: Mobility aid-related accidents in children

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Summary

During the period 1991-2008, more than 63 000 children were examined in US emergency rooms following an accident related to a mobility aid: 40% of the children were less than 10 years old; 60% of the accidents occurred at home; and 4.4% of the children were hospitalised.
Wheelchairs were the devices most often involved (67%), followed by crutches and walkers.
Most accidents involving children under 10 years old were linked to a walker or wheelchair, and mainly resulted in head injuries. Most of the accidents in older children involved crutches and caused lower-limb sprains.
In practice, the correct use of mobility aids should be explained to parents and children, and information given about the circumstances most likely to lead to accidents. Children using these devices should be supervised if necessary.

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