Michael Shepherd, MBChB, Paediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow; James Hamill, MBChB, FRACS, Paediatric Surgeon; Elizabeth Segedin, MBChB, FRACP, FJFICM, Paediatric Intensivist.
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Paediatric lap-belt injury: A 7 year experience
Article first published online: 3 FEB 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2006.00809.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Shepherd, M., Hamill, J. and Segedin, E. (2006), Paediatric lap-belt injury: A 7 year experience. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 18: 57–63. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2006.00809.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 3 FEB 2006
- Article first published online: 3 FEB 2006
- Accepted 8 September 2005
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- child;
- injury;
- lap-belt injury;
- road traffic crash;
- seat-belt injury;
- wound
Abstract
Objective: To highlight the injuries that result from lap-belt use and make recommendations for prevention, the recent experience of a regional paediatric trauma centre was reviewed.
Methods: Retrospective review of admissions to Starship Children's Hospital from 1996 to 2003, with significant injury following involvement in a motor vehicle crash, while wearing a lap-belt. Patients were identified from two prospectively collected databases and discharge coding data.
Results: In total, 19 patients were identified over the 7 year period. The morbidity sustained includes 15 patients with hollow viscus injury, 13 laparotomies, 7 spinal fractures, 2 paraplegia and 1 fatality. A total of 11 patients required laparotomy with a median delay of 24 h. Of patients in the present series, 58% were aged less than 8 years and thus were inappropriately restrained.
Conclusions: Lap-belt use can result in a range of life-threatening injuries or permanent disability in the paediatric population. The incidence of serious lap-belt injury does not appear to be decreasing. Morbidity and mortality could be reduced by the use of three-point restraints, age appropriate restraints and booster seats.