Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
Published on: February 7, 2025
All-terrain vehicle injuries in children: injury patterns and prognostic implications
Sadaf T Bhutta1, S Bruce Greenberg, Sarah J Fitch
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, 800 Marshall Street, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
Insights
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents in children frequently cause extremity fractures. Brain injuries and lung contusions are linked to severe outcomes, highlighting the need for radiologist awareness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Radiology
- Injury Epidemiology
Background:
- All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents are a significant cause of pediatric injuries.
- Understanding specific injury patterns is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify imaging patterns associated with all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries in children.
- To correlate specific injuries with patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 141 pediatric patients admitted after ATV accidents.
- Analysis of demographic data, patient outcomes, and all imaging studies.
- Cataloging of abnormalities identified in imaging.
Main Results:
- Extremity fractures were the most common injuries (38%), with lower extremity fractures predominating.
- Unusual injuries included partial foot amputation in three children.
- Brain injuries (19%) and pulmonary contusions were significantly associated with death or long-term disability.
Conclusions:
- ATV accidents in children result in diverse injuries, including rare ones like partial foot amputations.
- Computed tomography findings of brain injuries and lung contusions predict poor outcomes.
- Radiologists must be vigilant for characteristic injuries associated with pediatric ATV incidents.
Background:
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents are common in children. Our purpose was to identify imaging patterns associated with ATV injuries in children.
Patients And Methods:
The study group comprised 141 consecutive children admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital following ATV accidents. Medical records were evaluated for demographics and patient outcome. All imaging studies were reviewed and abnormalities cataloged.
Results:
Extremity fractures were the most common injuries in our study, occurring in 38% of patients. Lower extremity fractures were more common than upper extremity fractures. Partial foot amputation, an unusual injury, was present in three children. Torso injuries were present in 22% of the children. Pulmonary contusions, but not abdominal injuries, were significantly associated with long-term disability or death (p=0.01). Brain injuries occurred in 19% of the children and were significantly associated with death or long-term disability (p=<0.001). No association of brain injury and skull fracture was present.
Conclusions:
A wide variety of injuries were identified in children with ATV accidents. Partial foot amputation, an unusual injury, was identified in three children. Brain injuries and lung contusions detected by computed tomography were associated with long-term disability and death. Radiologists need to be aware of injuries associated with ATV accidents.
