Assessing the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on pediatric baseball and basketball-related craniofacial and neck injuries treated in United States emergency departments, 2003-2022.

Prior to the-pandemic, there was a steady decline in craniofacial and neck injuries due to basketball, baseball, softball and T-ball among children, aged <18 years. The shutdown during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a precipitous drop in such injuries. Current rates are approaching pre-pandemic levels and may exceed them. Continued efforts are needed to keep the pre-pandemic progress.