Lumbar Chance fracture associated with use of the lap belt restraint in an adolescent.
The use of the 2-point seat belt or lap belt in motor vehicles, particularly to restrain young rear seat passengers, remains an issue of some concern. The occurrence of lumbar spinal flexion-distraction injuries in lap belt restrained children and adolescents during road traffic accidents is a well known phenomenon, but is still occurring. High velocity paediatric Chance fractures are frequently associated with significant intra-abdominal trauma. We present the case of a Chance fracture sustained by a 15 year old girl, involved in a motor vehicle collision, while wearing a lap belt. We emphasise the need to develop safer seat belt designs for juvenile car passengers.
Walsh
A
A
National Spinal Injuries Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7. walshajw@eircom.net
Sheehan
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E
Walsh
M G
MG
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed