@article{ref1,
title="Causes and consequences of pedestrian injuries in children",
journal="European journal of pediatrics",
year="2003",
author="Mayr, J. M. and Eder, Christian and Berghold, Andrea and Wernig, Johannes and Khayati, Souhail and Ruppert-Kohlmayr, Andrea",
volume="162",
number="3",
pages="184-190",
abstract="Pedestrian-car collisions are in motorised countries one of the leading causes of unintentional-injury-related death and morbidity among children. The objective of this study was to assess correlations between the mode and the severity or post-traumatic sequels of the injury. A 12-year (1989-2001) retrospective study of children aged 0-16 years injured in pedestrian-motor-vehicle collisions was undertaken. An anonymous survey with questionnaires completed by families was conducted. In this time period, 501 children (average age: 7.9 years) were injured. The lack of visibility of the vehicle (45%) and/or the pedestrian (39%) was the leading cause of injury. The mean injury severity score was 6.0 (1-75) and the mortality rate was 0.8% ( n=4, injury severity scores 47, 75, 75, 75). In this study, 217 questionnaires were analysed. When the children were injured, 37% of them were alone, 32.3% were in the presence of accompanying adults, and 24.0% were in the presence of other children. The latter group suffered the highest injury severity score ( P=0.016). Positive correlations were noted between injury severity score and impact speed ( r=0.31, P&lt;0.001) and the distances that the children were thrown off or transported on the vehicle front ( r=0.29, P&lt;0.001). Physical sequels were reported by 27% of the families, and 23% noted psychological disturbances. A positive correlation was noted between impact speed and the occurrence of physical sequels ( P&lt;0.001). The number of deformed parts per vehicle was correlated to the occurrence of behavioural disturbances ( P&lt;0.004). CONCLUSION: The incidence of post-traumatic sequels seems to be associated with higher speed at impact, lack of braking attempts, and higher numbers of vehicle parts deformed.   <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0340-6199",
doi="10.1007/s00431-002-1099-1",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00431-002-1099-1"
}