Pediatric head and neck trauma from all-terrain vehicle accidents.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize pediatric head and neck trauma from all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) at a single institution.


METHODS
Retrospective case series at a level I pediatric trauma center.


RESULTS
Thirty-four patients were admitted: average age was 12 years, with 68% between 12 and 16 years and 32% under 12 years. The patient was the driver in 74% of cases and the passenger in 17% of cases. Driver average age was 12.7 years and passenger average age was 10.5 years. Seventy-six percent of children were not wearing helmets. Average hospital stay was 6 days, with 81% of cases discharged home. Central nervous system injuries were most common, followed by soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue repair was the most frequent procedure, and most maxillofacial fractures required operative intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
ATV-related morbidity and mortality in children are significant public health issues amenable to primary prevention by prohibiting passengers on ATVs and requiring helmet use.


CONCLUSIONS
National trends indicate increasing ATV-related injuries in children.
Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Brian.S.Wang@uth.tmc.edu
Brian S
BS
Wang
Stacey L
SL
Smith
Kevin D
KD
Pereira
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology