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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Paula J. Yuma, MPH, CHES, Diane Berry, PhD, and R. Todd Maxson, MD, FACS. Injury Prevention - Trauma Service, Children's Medical Center Dallas, 1935 Motor Street, Dallas, TX 75235, 214-456-7936, paula.yuma@childrens.com

We present the findings of a retrospective medical records review of children treated for injuries sustained on all terrain vehicles (ATVs) at Texas' only level I pediatric trauma center. The data reveals startling trends in the incidence of injury, the age of drivers and lack of protective gear utilization.

From 2000-2005, Children's Medical Center Dallas admitted 159 patients for injuries sustained on ATVs. The sample was 73% male and 79% Caucasian. As a percentage of the trauma population, incidence of children admitted for ATV-related injuries rose from 0.9% of admissions in 2000 to 2.4% in 2005, representing a 322% increase in cases. This is significantly different from the 2% increase in auto-pedestrian injury admissions, 18% increase in bicycle-related injuries, or the 58% increase in our total trauma census.

The median age of patients admitted for ATV-related injuries was 8.6 years. Despite recommendations that children < 16 years of age not drive ATVs, a full 67% of the patients admitted were driving. These drivers included children as young as two and three years. The remainder were passengers on the ATV, again, despite warnings that ATVs are not designed for passengers. 82% of patients were not wearing protective equipment at the time of injury. 9% had persistent impairment at discharge and 3% died of their injuries.

These data represent alarming trends in childhood ATV use, including young children operating the machines, a disregard for manufacturers' warnings, low use of protective gear and risk for significant and sometimes fatal injuries.

Learning Objectives:

• List three emerging issues of special concern relating to pediatric injuries sustained during ATV use.
• Discuss the rise in pediatric ATV-related injuries over a 5 year time frame, in comparison to auto-pedestrian and bicycle-related injuries.
• Identify at least two issues concering pediatric ATV use that should be addressed through injury prevention and control interventions.

Keywords: Injury Prevention, Pediatrics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered