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Aussie rules a major head injury source

DANNY ROSE, MEDICAL WRITER

December 17, 2009

AAP

Australian Rules football is a major source of head injury among Victorian children, a study has revealed.

A review of more than 400 cases of school-age children who had suffered a head injury found the nation's homegrown football code contributed to more than 30 per cent.

Falls from horses were also a prominent cause of head injuries.

"Further prevention initiatives should consider targeting Australian Rules football and equestrian activities," said researcher Louise Crowe from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

"Although research is often concerned with the long-term impact of childhood head injury, an equally important goal is the prevention of these injuries (and) that requires the identification of the causes as a first step."

Ms Crowe warned head injuries were common among children, and even mild cases could lead to ongoing cognitive and behavioural changes.

She joined with medical experts at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital to review the cases of 406 children, aged 6 to 16, who were treated for head injury over a year.

A blow to the head while playing football was the single biggest cause of injury.

A majority (70 per cent) of those injured were boys, and while most cases were classified a mild, 13 per cent of patients suffered moderate or severe injuries.

Of those more serious cases, five children were injured in equestrian accidents, two were hurt while playing football, two were linked to golf, and one each were hurt at cricket and hockey.

Among children hurt in horse riding accidents - including falls and being kicked by a horse - half were not wearing a helmet at the time.

The study is published online by the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia.