ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Side impact collisions pose a great risk to children in crashes, but information about the injury mechanisms is limited. METHODS: This study involves a case series of children in side impact collisions who were identified through Partners for Child Passenger Safety, a large, child-focused crash surveillance system. The aim of the current study was to use in-depth crash investigations to identify injury mechanisms to children in side impact collisions. RESULTS: Ninety-three children in 55 side impact crashes were studied. Twenty-three percent (n = 22) of the children received an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score > or = 2 (clinically significant) injury. In these 22 children, head (40%), extremity (23%), and abdominal injuries (21%) were the most common significant injuries. Cases that illustrate body region-specific injury mechanisms are discussed. CONCLUSION: The cases revealed that serious injuries, particularly head injuries, occur even in minor crashes, and efforts should be made to make the interiors of vehicles more child occupant friendly. Lower extremity and abdominal injuries occurred because of contact with the intruding door. Design of vehicles to minimize crush should mitigate the occurrence and severity of these injuries.
Subject(s)
Abbreviated Injury Scale , Abdominal Injuries/etiology , Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Craniocerebral Trauma/etiology , Leg Injuries/etiology , Adolescent , Age Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Seat BeltsABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seating position on risk of injury to children in side impact crashes. 5,632 children under age 16 in side impact crashes were enrolled as part of an on-going crash surveillance system which links insurance claims data to telephone survey and crash investigation data. Children seated in the front seat were at higher risk of significant injury than children seated in the rear (OR = 2.2 95% CI (1.2-3.8)). After adjusting for age, restraint use, and vehicle damage, children in the front seat were more likely to be injured (OR 2.6 95% CI (1.1-6.2)) than children seated in the rear when the child was sitting near the side of the impact. These results highlight the importance of evaluating the safety performance of both vehicles and restraint systems for children in side impact crashes.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Automobiles , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Risk Assessment , Safety , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Side impacts collisions pose a great risk to children in crashes but information about the injury mechanisms is limited. The heights and weights of children vary widely and as a result, the injury patterns may vary across the pediatric age range. This study involves a case series of children in side impact collisions who were identified through Partners for Child Passenger Safety, a large child-focused crash surveillance system. The aim of the current study was to use in-depth crash investigations to identify injury mechanisms to children in side impact collisions. 93 children in 55 side impact crashes were studied. 23% (n = 22) of the children received an AIS > or = 2 (clinically significant) injury. In these 22 children, head (39%), extremity (22%), and abdominal injuries (17%) were the most common significant injuries. The cases revealed that serious injuries occur even in minor crashes. Cases that illustrate body region-specific injury mechanisms are discussed.