[Accidents in children and adolescents. Analysis of the accident event].
BACKGROUND
Accidents are the most frequent cause of death in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine factors, which affect injury severity and to compare the absolute number of accidents with exposition data.


METHODS
From 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001 a school survey of 2325 pupils was carried out. The 3645 accidents sustained by children and adolescents aged between 6 and 17 years treated at the surgical emergency department of the University Hospital Dresden were analyzed.


RESULTS
Of the 3645 patients, 620 (17%) were admitted to hospital and 3025 (83%) were treated as outpatients. The most frequent diagnosis of the hospitalized patients was commotio cerebri; 83% of 36 severely injured patients had a head injury. 55.5% (297 of 536) of children between 6 and 9 years were using a protective helmet. In contrast only 14% of adolescents carried a protective helmet. None of 50 injured bicycle drivers with helmet had an AIS for head injuries >2. Twenty-for of 233 injured bicycle drivers without helmet had an AIS for head injuries >2.


CONCLUSIONS
Head injuries are the main cause of hospitalization in traumatized children and adolescents. However, the use of a protective helmet becomes significantly less frequent with increasing age.
Schneiders
W
W
Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden. schneidersw@gmx.de
Rollow
A
A
Rammelt
S
S
Reuter
M
M
Holch
M
M
Richter
S
S
Gruner
E M
EM
Schlag
B
B
Roesner
D
D
Zwipp
H
H
D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires