TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - A prospective, multi-institutional study of pediatric all-terrain vehicle crashes
JO  - Journal of trauma and acute care surgery
A1  - Mazotas, Ioanna
A1  - Toal, Megan
A1  - Borrup, Kevin
A1  - Saleheen, Hassan
A1  - Hester, Allison L.
A1  - Copeland, Daniel
A1  - Danielson, Paul D.
A1  - Deross, Anthony
A1  - Lapidus, Garry
A1  - Bentley, George
A1  - Thaker, Shefali
A1  - Campbell, Brendan T.
SP  - 103
EP  - 108
VL  - 77
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Pediatric all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries have been increasing annually for more than a decade. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate crash circumstances and clinical outcomes resulting from pediatric ATV crashes. <br><br>METHODS: Three pediatric trauma centers prospectively collected data from patients during their hospitalization for injuries sustained in ATV crashes from July 2007 through June 2012. Patients completed a 35-item questionnaire describing the crash circumstances (ATV engine size, safety equipment use, and training/experience). Clinical data (injuries, surgical procedures, etc.) were collected for each patient. <br><br>RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were enrolled, with a mean (SD) age of 13.0 (3.1) years, and were predominantly male (n = 55, 65%). Injuries were musculoskeletal (42%), central nervous system (39%), abdominal (20%), thoracic (16%), and genitourinary (4%). Multisystem injuries were prevalent (27%), and two patients died. Thirty-three patients (43%) required operative intervention. Most children were riding for recreation (96%) and ignored ATV manufacturers' recommendation that children younger than 16 years ride ATVs with smaller (≤90 cc) engines (71%). Dangerous riding practices were widespread: no helmet (70%), no adult supervision (56%), double riding (50%), riding on paved roads (23%), and nighttime riding (16%). Lack of helmet use was significantly associated with head injury (53% vs. 25%, p = 0.03). Rollover crashes were most common (44%), followed by collision with a stationary object (25%) or another vehicle (12%). Half (51%) of children said that they would ride an ATV again. <br><br>CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate a relationship between dangerous ATV riding behaviors and severe injuries in children who crash. Children younger than 16 years should not operate ATVs, and legislation that effectively restricts ATV use in children is urgently needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic study, level III.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2163-0755
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000000266
ID  - ref1
ER  -