Characteristics of Children Hospitalized After All-Terrain Vehicle Related Trauma: An Analysis of the Kids' Inpatient Database

Abstract

PURPOSE: The popularity of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) is increasing. This study analyzes the 2009 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) to evaluate the prevalence of ATV-related trauma among hospitalized children less than 20 years of age as well as their clinical and demographic characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's 2009 Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. The database was filtered using ICD-9 codes for non-traffic accidents involving other off-road motor vehicle, E821.0 (driver) and E821.1 (passenger). Sample weighting was employed to produce national estimates. SPSS-17 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive data are presented as percentage or median (interquartile range). RESULTS: There were a total of 2,294,023 non-neonatal discharges in the 2009 KID. National estimated discharges were 3,380,676. There were 2,719 discharges with a diagnosis of ATV related trauma, with a national estimate of 3,997 discharges (1.18 per 1,000 all discharges). The median age of the children was 15 years (IQR: 12-17). Of those patients, 68% had no chronic conditions, 74% were male, and 84% were white; 48.7% were admitted during Saturday or Sunday and 69% were discharged during the 2nd or 3rd quarter of the year. The median length of stay was 2 (1-4) days. One or more procedures were performed during the hospitalization in 70%, with 49% of patients requiring a major operating room procedure. More than 50% of the patients had one or more limb fractures. Median hospital charges were $22,154 (IQR: $13,256-$40,270) and 62.7% of the patients had private insurance. The mortality rate was 0.5%. CONCLUSIONS: ATV-related trauma is not-uncommon in childhood. As expected, it is more common among teenagers, males, whites, and occurs most often during weekends and summer months. Although mortality was low, skeletal trauma was very common.