Study: Backpacks Harm Head More Than Back

Researchers: Safety Education More Important Than Restricting Weight

CHICAGO -- A new study found that wearing a backpack is less likely to injure your child than originally thought.

Children are more likely to be hurt tripping over the packs, or being hit with them, according to the study, published in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers studied 247 children who incurred backpack injuries from 1999 to 2000. They found that the most common injury location was the head and face, followed by hands, wrists and elbows. Back injuries ranked sixth.

SURVEY Has your child been injured by a backpack? Yes, a back injury. Yes, a different type of injury. No, not that I know of. Results | Disclaimer

Growing concern suggested heavy packs cause back trouble in children, but researchers found the back was one of the least likely places where children were injured.

The study acknowledges its limitations -- it focused only on emergency room incidents, missing anything diagnosed or treated in a doctor's office.

But researchers said teaching children about proper backpack safety habits is more important than restricting textbook loads or redesigning packs.

Previous Stories:

• August 23, 2002: Backpacks Can Be A Pain For Children
• August 9, 2002: Books Of Burden: Kids Suffer From Lugging Texts
• June 25, 2002: Protect Young Backs From Too Much Weight
• October 1, 2001: Is Your Child's Backpack Too Heavy?

Copyright 2003 by Local6.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.