Football-related injuries among 6- to 17-year-olds treated in US emergency departments, 1990-2007

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2011 Mar;50(3):200-7. doi: 10.1177/0009922810388511. Epub 2010 Dec 2.

Abstract

Football is one of the most popular youth sports in the United States despite the high rate of injuries. Previously published studies have investigated football-related injuries that occurred in organized play but have excluded those that occurred during unorganized play. Through use of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, cases of football-related injuries were identified for analysis. Sample weights were used to calculate national estimates. An estimated 5 252 721 children and adolescents 6 to 17 years old were treated in US emergency departments for football-related injuries. The annual number of cases increased by 26.5% over the 18-year study period. The 12- to 17-year-old age group accounted for 77.8% of all injuries and had nearly twice the odds of sustaining a concussion. The findings suggest the need for increased prevention efforts to lower the risk of football-related injury in children and adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Football / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance
  • United States / epidemiology