Patterns of power mower injuries in children compared with adults and the elderly.

Power mower trauma remains an alarmingly frequent cause of serious injury in young children. The patterns of mower-related injuries in children < 15 years old (n = 13) were compared with those of adults aged 15-64 (n = 16) and elderly victims > or = 65 years old (n = 6), who were similarly injured over the past 5 years. Children were more likely to be injured in accidents involving high-energy riding mowers. Of those children injured, 69% (9 of 13) were playing in the yard while 31% (4 of 13) were riding on the mower with a guardian when the injury occurred. Amputations in children were more frequent and more extensive than in the adults and included one forearm, two Symes, and three below-knee amputations. The need for transfusion was also significantly increased in children (62% vs. 6% adults, p < 0.005), who were also more likely to require prolonged hospitalization (11.8 days vs. 5 days in adults, p < 0.005). Aggressive efforts to increase public awareness regarding the cause and nature of power mower injuries are warranted to decrease the incidence of this debilitating but preventable trauma in young children.