Injuries and outcomes associated with recreational vehicle accidents in pediatric trauma.
OBJECTIVE
To identify injuries and outcomes from Recreational/Off-Highway Vehicles (RV/OHV) accidents at a pediatric trauma center.


METHODS
A retrospective review of a prospective pediatric trauma registry was performed to identify patients sustaining injuries from an RV/OHV between January 2007 and July 2015. Vehicles included: all-terrain vehicles (ATV), dirt bikes, utility-terrain vehicles (UTV), golf carts, go-karts, and dune buggies.


RESULTS
Five hundred twenty-eight patients were injured while on an RV/OHV: 269 ATV, 135 dirt bike, 42 UTV, 38 golf cart, 34 go-kart, and 10 dune buggy. The majority (n=381, 72%) had at least one injury with an Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥2; 39% (n=204) had orthopedic injuries and 22% (n=116) had central neurologic injuries. Over three-fourths (n=412, 78%) were admitted. For the 48% (n=253) of patients requiring surgery, 654 surgical procedures were performed. Median hospital charge was $27,565 (IQR: $15,553-$44,935). Excluding golf carts, helmet use was 49% (n=231); 16% (n=76) wore protective clothing. Only 22% (n=26) wore a restraining belt.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe injuries occur in children who ride RV/OHV often warranting admission and surgical intervention. Improved understanding of RV/OHV injuries may guide caregivers in decision-making about pediatric RV/OHV use and encourage use of protective gear.


METHODS
Level II, Prognosis Study.
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States; Department of Surgery and Level-1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
Maria E
ME
Linnaus
Department of Surgery and Level-1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
Rebecca L
RL
Ragar
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
Erin M
EM
Garvey
Department of Surgery and Level-1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States; Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States; Department of Surgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, United States. Electronic address: jdfraser@cmh.edu.
Jason D
JD
Fraser
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
Helmet; Pediatric trauma; Recreational vehicle; Utility-terrain vehicle