Citation

Singh S, Peters NJ, Samuel C, Bhatti W, Ghosh DN. Emerg. Med. Australas. 2014; 26(5): 478-480.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1742-6723.12270

PMID

25204353

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Kite flying has been popular in India since ancient times, especially during harvest festivals of Lohri, Basant and Makar Sankranti. It often takes form of a competitive sport and in recent times has been associated with multiple, sometimes fatal injuries. This prognostic study was conducted to try and understand the epidemiology and factors associated with kite flying injuries in the state of Punjab, India.

METHODS: Case reports of patients who presented to the ED with trauma as a result of kite flying were reviewed. The study included patients reporting to the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, between January 2005 and January 2010. Details of the type and mode of injury, and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS: The highest incidence of injuries occurred during months of the kite flying festivals. The most common mode of injury was fall from heights, associated with traumatic brain injury. The mortality rate in this series was 6.25%.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of kite flying injuries as a common mode of injury in children and adolescents. It is an easily preventable mode of injury with simple safety regulations and possibly stronger legislation.

Language: en