Seat belt syndrome in children:​ a case report and review of the literature

Durbin, Dennis R.; Arbogast, Kristy B.; Moll, Elisa K.

Affiliations

¹Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

²Department of Pediatrics

³The Children’s Clinical Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Abstract and keywords

Characteristic patterns of injury to children in automobile crashes resulting from lap and lap-shoulder belts have been described for many years. These injuries are known as the “seat belt syndrome.” We present a typical case of seat belt syndrome involving a 4-year-old boy and review the current literature on the topic, highlighting proposed mechanisms of intra-abdominal and spine injuries. In addition, recent research findings identifying a new pattern of injuries associated with inappropriate seat belt use in young children are reviewed. Emergency physicians must consider these seat belt-related injuries in the initial evaluation of any child involved in a motor vehicle crash who was restrained with the vehicle seat belt.

Keywords: Seat belt; automobile; injury

Links

DOI: 10.1097/00006565-200112000-00021

PubMed: 11753199

WoS: 000173001500018

Ovid: 00006565-200112000-00021

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Cited By (33)

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