Seat belt syndrome in children: a case report and review of the literature.
Characteristic patterns of injury to children in automobile crashes resulting from lap and lap-shoulder belts have been described for many years. These injuries are known as the "seat belt syndrome." We present a typical case of seat belt syndrome involving a 4-year-old boy and review the current literature on the topic, highlighting proposed mechanisms of intra-abdominal and spine injuries. In addition, recent research findings identifying a new pattern of injuries associated with inappropriate seat belt use in young children are reviewed. Emergency physicians must consider these seat belt-related injuries in the initial evaluation of any child involved in a motor vehicle crash who was restrained with the vehicle seat belt.
Durbin
D R
DR
Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104, USA. ddurbin@cceb.med.upenn.edu
Arbogast
K B
KB
Moll
E K
EK
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation; D007583:Jejunum / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000209:etiology*