Number of traumatic brain injuries during kids' basketball games increased by 70%

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A retrospective analysis was conducted with data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, from 1997 to 2007.

An estimated 4 million pediatric basketball-related injuries were treated in emergency departments.

The total number of injuries decreased during the study period but the number of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) increased by 70%.

The most common injury was a strain or sprain to the lower extremities (30.3%), especially the ankle (23.8%).

Boys were more likely to sustain lacerations and fractures or dislocations.

Girls were more likely to sustain TBIs and to injure the knee.

Older children (15–19 years of age) were 3 times more likely to injure the lower extremities.

Younger children (5–10 years of age) were more likely to injure the upper extremities and to sustain TBIs and fractures or dislocations.

Although the total number of basketball-related injuries decreased during the 11-year study period, the large number of injuries in this popular sport is cause for concern.

References:
Basketball-Related Injuries in School-Aged Children and Adolescents in 1997–2007. PEDIATRICS Vol. 126 No. 4 October 2010, pp. 727-733 (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-2497)