Epidemiologia dos acidentes provocados por linhas com cerol: estudo de vítimas atendidas em hospital de trauma em Belo Horizonte, Brasil

objective: to describe the characteristics of victims of powdered glass-coated (manja) kite line injuries admitted to a trauma hospital in belo horizonte, brazil. methods: cross-sectional study of victims with powdered glass-coated kite line injuries between 2005 and 2009. data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. central tendency and comparison of ratios were used to characterize victims. results: 211 victims were admitted between 2005 and 2009, 94% of which males. the majority of cases occurred in june and july (37% e 41.7%, respectively). mean age was 15 years, with no difference between men and women. for the group of victims as a whole, upper limbs were the most prevalent site of injury, although neck and face injuries were the main site of injury among motorcyclists and cyclists. two deaths (0.95%) were identified, both in motorcyclists, due to injury to neck structures. residences were concentrated in three administrative areas (east, northeast and south-central). conclusion: although the majority of injuries recorded were not severe, fatal injuries can occur, mainly among motorcyclists. educational and preventive measures are needed to avoid potentially fatal injuries.