ABSTRACT
Mechanical bull riding, a largely unregulated activity, poses a significant injury risk to children. Thirty-five pediatric patients (<18 y.o.) presented to a level I trauma center after a mechanical bull-related injury. A direct hit by the device was the most common mechanism of injury (71.4%). Traumatic brain injuries were reported in 65.7%. Long-term complications were reported in six of 19 patients followed up. There was a significantly higher number of depressed skull fractures in male patients (p = .018).These findings highlight the potential dangers of mechanical bull riding for children, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and additional safety regulations.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).