Seatbelt: A Double-Edged Sword

Intra-abdominal vascular injury due to blunt trauma is unusual in children. Due to its rarity, detailed reports dealing with its management are scarce in pediatric literature. Diagnosis of these injuries is challenging, and a high degree of awareness is necessary for rapid identification and treatment of these injuries. This article presents the medical case report of a child with seatbelt sign and mesenteric vein injury due to blunt trauma to the abdomen during a motor vehicle accident where the seatbelt was incorrectly placed. She also sustained cervical vertebral injury. CT scan of the cervical spine revealed an anteriorly displaced transverse fracture of the odontoid process with subluxation of C2 on C3 vertebra. Abdominal CT scan confirmed the presence of free fluid in the abdomen and a filling defect in the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). Urgent trauma laparotomy with full cervical spine precautions was undertaken. The patient progressed well following surgery and was discharged home 26 days after admission. At 12-month followup, she is well with normal neurology and digestive function. The pattern of injuries in children in these situations may differ from that found in adults. SMV injuries are rare and lethal injuries in children. The authors conclude that, while seatbelts have undoubtedly saved many lives, awareness about correct placement of these restraints is extremely necessary.

• Record URL:
  http://www.hindawi.com/crim/pediatrics/2012/326936/
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/20906803
• Authors:
  • Raychaudhuri, P
  • Cheung, N K
  • Bendinelli, C
  • Puvaneswary, M
  • Ferch, R
  • Kumar, Rajendra
• Publication Date: 2012

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Photos; References;
• Pagination: 3p
• Serial:
  • Case Reports in Pediatrics
  • Volume: 2012
  • Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 2090-6803
  • EISSN: 2090-6811

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Child restraint systems; Crash injuries; Diagnosis; Injury severity; Medical case reports; Preschool children; Seat belt use; Seat belts; Surgery
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01376353
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 25 2012 11:47AM