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An assessment of pediatric all-terrain vehicle injuries
Roger L Humphries1, Charles Keith Stone, Joseph Stephan Stapczynski
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. rlhump0@uky.edu
Insights
Pediatric all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries resulted in significant hospitalizations and deaths in Kentucky. Safety measures like helmet use and age restrictions are crucial for reducing ATV-related harm in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma
- Injury Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- All-terrain vehicle (ATV) related injuries and fatalities have seen a concerning rise since 1996.
- The pediatric population is particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes from ATV incidents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries on morbidity and mortality within the pediatric population served by a level-1 trauma center in Kentucky.
- To analyze injury patterns, severity, and outcomes for children injured in ATV accidents.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from the University of Kentucky Trauma Registry.
- Inclusion of all patients under 18 years old admitted with ATV-related injuries between 1996 and 2000.
- Analysis of demographic data, injury severity scores, treatment interventions, and hospital charges.
Main Results:
- 151 pediatric hospitalizations due to ATV injuries occurred during the study period, with 5 fatalities.
- Low helmet usage (4%) and a high incidence of multisystem injuries (40%) were observed.
- Patients incurred over $2.1 million in hospital charges, with 32% requiring intensive care and 52% undergoing surgery.
Conclusions:
- All-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries pose a substantial threat to pediatric morbidity and mortality in southern and southeastern Kentucky.
- Implementing safety education, promoting helmet use, and considering age-based operational restrictions (e.g., prohibiting riders under 16) could mitigate these risks.
- Legislative measures, such as a new state law, may be necessary to enforce safety protocols and reduce ATV-related harm in children.
Objectives:
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) related injuries and deaths have been increasing since 1996. The objective of this study is to define the impact on the morbidity and mortality of the pediatric population of the referral area of one of Kentucky's level-1 trauma centers.
Methods:
Data were collected retrospectively from the University of Kentucky Trauma Registry on all patients younger than 18 years of age admitted to the level 1 trauma center between 1996 and 2000 with ATV related injuries.
Results:
One hundred fifty-one pediatric patients were hospitalized from an ATV-related injury during the study period. There were five deaths. The male/female ratio was 3.2:1. The mean revised trauma score was 7.3 +/- 1.3. The mean injury severity score was 12.3 +/- 8.9. Helmet use was only 4%. The average hospitalization was 4.4 +/- 5.2 days, 32% went to the intensive care unit and 52% to the operating room. Forty percent of patients had multisystem injuries. Passengers were younger than drivers (9.3 +/- 4.9 and 13.3 +/- 2.7 years, respectively). Hospital charges exceeded dollar 2.1 million.
Conclusion:
All-terrain vehicle-related injuries led to significant morbidity and mortality for the pediatric population of southern and southeastern Kentucky. Encouraging helmet use and discouraging passengers from riding through safety education or a new state law may help to reduce ATV related mortality and morbidity. Prohibiting children younger than 16 years from operating or riding on an ATV seems justified.
