Age-Related Patterns in Pediatric Road Traffic Injuries in Romania

Background: Pediatric road traffic injuries (RTIs) represent a significant public health concern, particularly in countries like Romania, where road infrastructure and safety remain challenges. Despite recent economic reclassification, Romania continues to report high rates of pediatric traffic-related injuries. Non-fatal RTIs often result in long-term physical and psychological harm. This study aims to assess age- and gender-specific injury patterns and mechanisms of non-fatal RTIs in children and adolescents, using data from "St. Mary's" Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Iași over a ten-year period to inform targeted prevention strategies. Methods: This 10-year retrospective study (2015-2024) was conducted at "St. Mary's" Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Iași, Romania, a regional referral center. Data from 1074 pediatric patients (aged 1 month-17 years, 11 months) with RTIs were analyzed using ICD-10 codes and verified manually. Variables included demographics, injury type, mechanism, and treatment. Patients were stratified into four age groups. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The highest incidence was observed among boys (77.7%) and children aged 10-14 years. Car passengers and cyclists constituted the most frequently affected groups, with only 11% of passengers appropriately restrained and 78% of cyclists not wearing helmets. Common injuries included excoriations, thoracic contusions, and abdominal trauma, with notable variations by age and sex. Thoracic injuries were more frequent among girls, whereas younger children exhibited a higher incidence of abdominal trauma. Conclusions: The findings emphasize critical safety gaps in child restraint and helmet use and highlight the urgent need for targeted, age-specific road safety interventions and improved public health education.