Effectiveness of child safety seats vs safety belts for children aged 2 to 3 years.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of child safety seats and lap-shoulder belts in rear passenger vehicle seats for 2- to 3-year-old crash survivors.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
The January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2004, US data on a nationally representative sample of crashes that resulted in at least 1 vehicle being towed away.


METHODS
Toddlers who were sitting in rear vehicle seats and using lap-shoulder belts or child seats when involved in highway crashes.


METHODS
Child safety seat vs safety belt.


METHODS
Presence of any injury after a crash.


RESULTS
The adjusted odds of injury were 81.8% lower (95% confidence interval, 58.3%-92.1% lower) for toddlers in child seats than belted toddlers.


CONCLUSIONS
Child safety seats seem to be more effective rear seat restraints than lap-shoulder safety belts for children aged 2 to 3 years. Laws requiring that children younger than 4 years travel in child safety seats have a sound basis and should remain in force.
Zaloshnja
Eduard
E
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 11710 Beltsville Drive, Calverton, MD 20705, USA.
Miller
Ted R
TR
Hendrie
Delia
D
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000592:standards*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000592:standards*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology