title: Paediatric road accidents in two health districts.
abstract: For a 1-year period from 1 January 1990 all children seen, as a result of road traffic accidents (RTAs), in two accident and emergency departments (A&E), one in Liverpool and one in Chester were studied. Simple data were collected and injury severity scores (ISS) were used to assess injuries. Progress was monitored at 3 months post-injury by a review of hospital case notes. A total of 710 children fulfilled the study criteria in the year with a male:female ratio of 1.7:1. Only 37% of children were accompanied by an adult at the time of their accident. Overall 29% of children in vehicles were restrained and only three of 75 cyclists wore cycle helmets. Most injuries were minor with ISS of less than 9 in 96% of cases. Two children died after admission as a result of severe head injuries. The results were similar to those from other centres but highlight a need for continuing public education on child supervision, safe driving habits and the need for environmental changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tesfayohannes
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology