Traumatic injuries among children using lap belts and lap/shoulder belts in motor vehicle collisions

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Agran, Phyllis F.¹; Winn, Diane²

Traumatic injuries among children using lap belts and lap/shoulder belts in motor vehicle collisions

31st Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM)

Affiliations

¹Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California

²Public Policy Research Organization, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
Abstract

This study was designed to examine trauma patterns in motor vehicle collisions among lap belted and lap/shoulder belted children. The sample was taken from a larger study of child occupants presenting to emergency rooms for evaluation and treatment of crash related injuries in a single county over a five year period, 1980-1985. Two hundred and twenty-nine cases were selected for analysis. Eighty-eight were in a lap/shoulder belt in the front seat; 141 were in a lap belt in the back seat. There were no significant differences in injury severity, anatomic site of injury or rate of hospitalization between those in a lap and those in a lap/shoulder belt. However, certain patterns and mechanisms of injuries were apparent. Injuries to the head/face were most common, and were sustained by nearly 50% of the entire sample. Ten percent of the lap/shoulder belted and 12% of the lap belted sustained abdominal injuries. Cervical strain injuries were sustained by 21% of the lap/shoulder belted and 14% of the lap belted. The most common mechanism of injury was impact with the vehicle interior. Injuries were also incurred from flexion/extension of the neck and from the seat belt system. While offering overall protection, patterns and mechanisms of injury were observed which raise some concern regarding use of these systems by children.

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Cited By (14)

Year	Entry
1992	Huelke DF, Mackay GM, Morris A, Bradford M. Car crashes and non-head impact cervical spine injuries in infants and children. In: Proceedings of the SAE International Congress & Exposition. 1992; Detroit, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE 920562.
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1992	Huelke DF, Mackay GM, Morris A, Bradford M. Cervical fractures and fracture-dislocations without head impacts sustained by restrained occupants. In: 36th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 5-7, 1992; Portland, OR.1-23.
1994	Henderson M, Brown J, Paine M. Injuries to restrained children. In: 38th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). September 21-23, 1994; Lyon, France.75-87.
1994	Kim K, Li L. Seat belt usage and injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions. In: 38th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). September 21-23, 1994; Lyon, France.43-55.
1998	Huelke DF. An overview of anatomical considerations of infants and children in the adult world of automobile safety design. In: 42nd Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 5-7, 1998; Charlottesville, VA.93-113.
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