Motor Vehicle Injuries in Childhood: A Hospital-Based Study in Saudi Arabia

This article reports on a hospital-based study of motor vehicle injuries in childhood in Saudi Arabia. The author conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical charts of children aged 12 years and younger (n = 664), who were involved in motor vehicle injuries during a 10-year period (January 1994 to December 2003). Data analyzed included age, gender, and mechanism of injury, type of injury, management and outcome. Motor vehicle injuries accounted for approximately 42% of all pediatric traumas. There were 469 (71%) male children and 195 (29%) female children. Four hundred and seventy two children were injured as pedestrians (71%), 177 as auto passengers (27%), 11 as bicyclists (1.5%), and 4 as motorcyclists (0.5%). Most of the children (n = 562; 85%) were between the ages of 1 and 8 years. The most common injuries were to the head and extremities. Thirty-four children (5.1%) died from their injuries; 30 of these from head trauma. Thirty-five children (5.3%) were discharged home with neurological impairment from head trauma. The author concludes by discussing the need for nationwide programs to target the use of seatbelts and helmets, and to prevent dangerous driving practices.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 641-645
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01050110
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: May 30 2007 3:04PM