Latest trends in ATV -related injuries at a level 1 pediatric trauma center

Previously reported data from Children's Medical Center Dallas, a level 1 pediatric trauma center, revealed four disturbing trends in ATV-related pediatric injuries during 2000-2005. In particular, the number of such injuries rose sharply during this six year period, the average age of patients was very young, the majority of patients drove the vehicle at the time of injury, and most patients did not wear helmets. The present retrospective review supplements those findings by examining parallel data from the same pediatric trauma center gathered during 2006. Of the 42 patients admitted for ATV-related injuries during the year, the majority were Caucasian (69%) and male (67%). All four trends described previously were again observed during 2006. Specifically, the incidence of ATV-related injuries seen in 2006 was nearly 10% higher than that observed during 2005, and this could not explained by an overall increase in total Trauma Service admissions. The mean age of these patients continued to be very young (9.1 years), nearly seven years younger than the recommended age of 16 for ATV use, and 57% of the patients were ten or younger. The majority of patients operated the ATV (69%), and few wore helmets at the time of their injury (19%). Nearly 40% of the children were severely or moderately injured. The data reveal that safety guidelines continue to be ignored by many parents and children, with increasingly alarming results.