Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact
Published on: September 21, 2017
All-terrain vehicle injury patterns: are current regulations effective?
Wendy Su1, Thomas Hui, Kenneth Shaw
1Department of Surgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada QC H3H1P3. wendysu2@hotmail.com
Insights
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries are rising in children, with traumatic brain injuries being most common. Increased regulation and helmet use are urgently needed for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma
- Injury Prevention
- Public Health
Background:
- All-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries represent a growing public health concern.
- Previous research indicates a need for better understanding of injury patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze ATV-related injury patterns at a pediatric trauma center.
- To inform public awareness campaigns and governmental regulation for injury prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of hospital admissions for ATV-related injuries.
- Data collected from a regional pediatric trauma center between 2001 and 2004.
Main Results:
- A 2.5-fold increase in annual ATV injury admissions from 2001 to 2004.
- Traumatic brain injuries accounted for 54% of admissions; 84% of patients did not wear helmets.
- Increased severity noted, with more intensive care unit admissions in 2004.
Conclusions:
- Both incidence and severity of pediatric ATV injuries are increasing.
- Lack of helmet use and insufficient regulation contribute to severe injuries.
- Urgent need for helmet use promotion and age restrictions for ATV operators.
Purpose:
All-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related injuries continued to increase in recent years. We aimed to analyze the ATV injury patterns at our institution to help structure public awareness campaign and encourage governmental regulation, with the ultimate goal of injury prevention.
Methods:
A retrospective review of all ATV-related admissions at a pediatric trauma center was performed.
Results:
From 2001 to 2004, 50 ATV-related injuries requiring hospital admission were identified. The annual incidence had increased 2.5-fold from 2001 (8 admissions) to 2004 (20 admissions). The ages ranged from 3 to 17 years (median, 13 years), with equal sex distribution. Fifty-four percent of admissions were traumatic brain injuries, 28% had orthopedic injuries, 14% with facial fractures, and 4% with abdominal injuries. Average length of stay was 6 days (range, 1-47 days); 5 of the 7 intensive care unit admissions occurred in 2004. Eighty-four percent of patients did not wear helmet (97% among those from northern communities).
Conclusions:
Both the incidence and severity of ATV-related injuries are increasing in a regional pediatric trauma center. There is a lack of regulation enforcement and public awareness of the danger of ATV use in children. Efforts to ensure helmet use and limit operator age are urgently needed to reduce childhood ATV-related injuries.
