Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between delta V and risk of injury to children involved in frontal motor vehicle crashes.
Background: Previous studies, primarily focused on adult occupants, have demonstrated the relationship between crash severity, as measured by delta V and injury severity. As children have unique safety needs, these results cannot be directly applied to the pediatric population.
Methods: Case series crash investigation data and clinical injury information were reviewed from a child-focused crash surveillance system. Analyses were performed examining the relationship between the estimated delta V and any AIS ≥ 2 or any AIS ≥ 3 injury.
Results: Detailed crash investigation and clinical data were available on 407 children involved in 235 frontal crashes. The average delta V for all crashes was 29 ± 16.9 kph [18 ± 10.5 mph (range, 5–123 kph)]. Delta V was strongly and positively associated with the odds of both an AIS ≥ 2 and AIS ≥ 3 injury (P < 0.0001). The adjusted odds of at least one AIS ≥ 2 injury increased on average by 56% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33%–85%) for each 10 kph increase in delta V. Similarly, the adjusted odds of at least one AIS ≥ 3 injury increased on average by 67% (95% CI, 40%–102%) for each 10 kph increase in delta V. The delta V at which 50% of child occupants would be expected to sustain any AIS ≥ 2 injury was 37 kph [23.0 mph (95% CI, 32–45 kph)], and any AIS ≥ 3 injury was 63 kph [39.1 mph (95% CI, 51–∞ kph)].
Conclusion: Delta V is strongly predictive of injury risk for child occupants. As many newer generation cars are now fitted with event data recorders, this information is increasingly available and may become useful as a clinical predictor.