Lap belt complex. Recognition & assessment of seatbelt injuries in pediatric trauma patients.
That seatbelts save lives is irrefutable. Every health-care professional should advocate parents use proper restraint systems for their children. Resource guides are available from local, state and national organizations regarding proper restraint usage for the pediatric population. However, children restrained with lap belts are at risk of sustaining an occult injury. You must quickly stabilize the ABCs, immobilize the spine and get the patient en route to a trauma center while you perform a solid baseline assessment. The trauma team needs information on kinetics, type of restraints used, assessment findings and treatment rendered so they can accurately assess subtle changes in the patient's condition and initiate proper treatment.
Jordan
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Children's Medical Center of Dallas, USA. RJORDA@childmed.dallas.tx.us
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States