Helmets Protect Pediatric Bicyclists From Head Injury and Do Not Increase Risk of Cervical Spine Injury

This article reports on a study undertaken to evaluate the incidence of child bicyclists (<16 years of age) involved in a crash and to estimate the risk of a serious head and spine injuries (defined as abbreviated injury scale grade >2). The authors compared this type of injury in bicyclists who wore helmets at the time of the crash (n = 654) and those who were nonhelmeted (n = 3,039 or 82.3% of the study population). Data was drawn from the Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2014-2016). Those riders who were nonhelmeted were more often Black (21.6% vs 3.8%), Hispanic (17.5% vs 9.3%), without insurance (4.6% vs 2.4%), and had a higher rate of a serious head injury (24.6% vs 9.3%). Both groups had similar rates of complications and mortality. The associated risk of a serious head (odds ratio = 3.17) was higher in nonhelmeted riders but spine injury (odds ratio = 0.41) was lower in this group. The authors note that associated risks for cervical spine fracture or cord injury were similar. The authors conclude with a brief discussion of the potential benefits of targeted educational programs to increase bicycle helmet use in some sub-populations at higher risk of head and spine injuries.

Language

  • English

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  • Accession Number: 01858970
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 26 2022 9:10AM