Ow. Child meets tree, at speed. Never the most auspicious of circumstances. Although Newtonian physics tell us that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, it always seemed to me that the tree seems to do better out of the bargain.
BOSTON – In new research, 30 percent of children hospitalized following a sledding injury suffered significant head injuries. The research, presented Saturday, Oct. 15, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) in Boston, supports the need for helmet use and other safety precautions to prevent traumatic sledding injuries.
The most common cause of injury was their sled hitting a tree, occurring in 63.5 percent of the cases. Thirty-seven percent (20) suffered a head injury, with 70 percent of these children admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Lead study author Richard Herman, MD, FAAP, said the study results support the need for public education campaigns that encourage helmet use while sledding, as well as awareness of potential dangers on a sled course.
"We've seen a large increase in severe injuries resulting from sledding over the past year," said Dr. Herman.
Let's hope the kids don't start doing this instead:
Source: Eurekalert
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
