title: Comparison of motor vehicle occupant injuries in restrained and unrestrained 4- to 14-year-olds.
abstract: This study compares injuries of restrained and unrestrained 4- to 14-year-olds in nine emergency rooms and the Coroner's office in Orange County, California from 1983 to 1989. Analyses were performed separately for 4- to 9- and 10- to 14-year-olds because of differences related to the fit of the seat belt. Significantly fewer intracranial injuries and a significantly lower mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) were seen between the restrained and unrestrained for 10- to 14-year-olds in the front passenger and back seats; but for 4- to 9-year-olds in the back seat only. These same differences were noted between restrained 4- to 9-year-olds in the back compared with those in the front passenger seat. Except for 4- to 9-year-olds in the front passenger seat, our findings are consistent with similar studies of occupants of all ages. Our results suggest that lap-shoulder belts (primary restraint in front seat) may provide less protection for 4- to 9-year-olds than for 10- to 14-year-olds and adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine 92717.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Agran
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Winn
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D012622:Seat Belts; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology