[Multicentre study on risk factors of injuries in car crashes].
BACKGROUND
Traffic accidents are the main cause of death in children between 2 and 14 years in developed countries. We analysed their clinical repercussions, epidemiological characteristics, use and suitability of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) and its correlation with the type of injuries in children less than 12 years old.


METHODS
Multicentre descriptive prospective study. The following data was collected: personal details of the victims and the type of accident, use and suitability of the CRS, classification of injuries according to location and severity, need for hospitalisation, medical treatment received, use of Emergency Services and final destination of the injured.


RESULTS
A total of 366 patients were studied, with a sex ratio of 1:1 and a mean age of 6 years. Of these, 69.7% had some injury (slight 92.3%). A total of 81.1% affected the head and neck, and 77.9% used some type of CRS (suitable only in 55.7%). CRS were used more in >6 year olds (27.1%-P<0.001). Driving long distances (odds ratio 6.7) and not using a suitable CRS (odds ratio 3.7) were associated with the severity of the injuries. The age of the patients and the position within the automobile were not related. All the patients with a Glasgow less than 8 and all the deceased were using an unsuitable CRS. The hospitalization rate was 8.7% and the mortality rate at 24h was 0.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
An important percentage of the injured children do not use suitable child restraint systems. Non-use of a CRS or its inadequate use is a risk factor of morbidity in the traffic accidents in childhood.
Panzino
F
F
Sección de Urgencias, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
Pizà Oliveras
A
A
Pociello Almiñana
N
N
García García
J J
JJ
Luaces Cubells
C
C
Pou Fernández
J
J
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*