Lumbar compression fractures secondary to lap-belt use in children.
The correlation between flexion-distraction injuries and lap-belt use has been well documented. Over a 10-year period, we identified seven children admitted to Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, with compression fractures of the lumbar spine secondary to lap-belt use. Four were rear seat passengers, and three were in the front seat. The average age was 7 years. Four of the seven (57%) suffered associated abdominal injuries. One died of an associated head injury. We hypothesize that the mechanism of injury in these cases was similar to that in flexion-distraction injuries. The increased elasticity in the posterior ligamentous complex in children may be responsible for the occurrence of these compression fractures rather than the expected flexion-distraction-type injuries.
Sturm
P F
PF
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Glass
R B
RB
Sivit
C J
CJ
Eichelberger
M R
MR
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed