Head and neck ice hockey injuries in children: an analysis of the NEISS database

Objective

Our objective was to describe non-concussion head and neck ice hockey injuries in children in the US.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using data from the NEISS database. The NEISS database was reviewed from 2010 to 2021 for injuries in the head, neck, mouth, eye, and ear related to ice hockey in children 1–18 years old. Records where the only injury was a concussion or internal head injury were removed. Frequencies were calculated and chi-squared tests were performed.

Results

475 children were included, with mean age of 13.1 years old (95 % CI 12.7–13.4), and 426 (89.7 %) were male. Females were significantly younger with mean age 11.8 years versus 13.2 years for males (t = −2.4, df = 473, p = .018). 110 (23.2 %) injuries were related to hockey sticks, 92 (19.4 %) involved a fall, and 32 (6.7 %) were subsequent to body checking. 301 of the injuries (63.4 %) were lacerations, 71 (14.9 %) contusions or abrasions, and 26 (5.5 %) strains and sprains. The type of injury varied according to head and neck region (p < .001). 231 (82.8 %) of facial injuries, 16 (76.2 %) of ear injuries, and 33 (62.3 %) of oral injuries were lacerations. Eight (1.7 %) patients were admitted or observed overnight, while the rest were discharged home.

Conclusion

Female ice hockey players sustain injuries at younger ages than males, which may reflect the loss of older girls from the sport. In older boys, injury rates may reflect the loss of mandated full face protective shields.