title: Pathologic features of childhood pedestrian fatalities.
abstract: A retrospective analysis of 68 cases of fatal childhood pedestrian accidents in South Australia that occurred over a 20-year period from January 1977 to December 1996 was undertaken. The age range was 12 months to 16 years (average, 7.6 years), with a male to female ratio of 41:27. The most common site of significant injury was the head (91.2%), followed by the abdomen (50%), chest (47.1%), and neck (38.2%). The most frequently encountered significant injury combinations involved the head, chest, and abdomen (14.7%); the head and chest (11.8%); and the head, neck, and abdomen (11.8%). Injuries were severe, consisting of extensive compound and comminuted skull fractures, neck fractures, and massive intraparenchymal brain and internal organ damage with avulsions and fragmentation. Non-life-threatening limb injuries occurred in 88% of cases. A distinct subgroup involved infants and younger children playing in driveways at home who were hit by reversing vehicles. The injuries were often of such a severe nature that death was instantaneous and with no possibility of successful medical intervention. More deaths occurred during the winter than summer months.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Byard
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000401:mortality*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000401:mortality