title: [Risk of injury to children's fingers in power-operated motor vehicle windows].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines the dimensions of children's fingers and the risk of jam injuries in a 4-mm gap between glass and gasket of power-operated motor vehicle windows.
  
  
  METHODS
  The diameter of the proximal, middle, and distal phalanx and of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joint of each finger of the right hand of 160 children was measured in a cross-sectional investigation. Six different drawings in cross section of gaskets and glass window panes of current motor vehicle side door windows at a vertical gap of 4 mm were drawn in correct proportion. The larger actual width of the oblique gap between window glass and gasket was measured and related to the diameters of children's fingers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all fingers and joints fit in the largest actual gap of 18 mm between glass and gasket of one seal design.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The European guideline 74/60/EWG specifications currently pertaining to closing force restriction do not eliminate the risk of potentially serious injury to children's fingers in motor vehicle power windows.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Handchirurgie, Rhön-Klinikum AG, Salzburger Leite 1, 97616, Bad Neustadt Saale, Deutschland. bernd.hohendorff@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hohendorff
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weidermann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pollinger
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Konerding
authors.forename: K-J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Prommersberger
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rommens
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000453:epidemiology*