title: Three siblings with Chance fractures: the importance of 3-point restraints.
abstract: Pediatric Chance fractures are uncommon injuries. They are the result of a flexion-distraction force applied to the spine, and most commonly occur from motor vehicle accidents in which passengers are wearing lap seat belts as opposed to 3-point restraints with a chest strap. Neurologic injuries are rarely associated with Chance fractures in children, but accompanying intraabdominal injuries are often found and carry a potential for significant morbidity. We present 3 siblings in a minivan who were involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident and as a result of wearing their 3-point restraints improperly, suffered Chance fractures. None had neurologic dysfunction, but 2 had serious intra-abdominal injuries requiring surgical repair. All 3 Chance fractures were treated with cast immobilization. This case report shows the importance of wearing 3-point restraints properly while traveling in a motor vehicle.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery and Pediatric General Surgery, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Zachary L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ponsky
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Barksdale
authors.forename: George H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012622:Seat Belts; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery