Abstract
It is well established that seat belts reduce mortality and morbidity among children. Data are presented for 413 children injured severely enough in motor vehicle crashes to require hospitalization. Of the unrestrained children, 4.5% died, compared with 2.4% of the belted children. Unrestrained children had a higher proportion of injuries in four of five anatomical regions, were more severely injured, stayed longer in the hospital, and were 15% more likely than belted children to be discharged with impairments.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Abdominal Injuries / epidemiology
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Abdominal Injuries / etiology
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Accidents, Traffic / mortality
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Accidents, Traffic / prevention & control
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Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
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Adolescent
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Craniocerebral Trauma / epidemiology
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Craniocerebral Trauma / mortality
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Disabled Persons / statistics & numerical data
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Evaluation Studies as Topic
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Female
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Glasgow Coma Scale
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Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
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Humans
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Injury Severity Score
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Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data
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Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
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Male
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Patient Discharge / statistics & numerical data
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Registries
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Seat Belts / standards*
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Surgical Procedures, Operative / statistics & numerical data
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Trauma Centers / statistics & numerical data
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United States / epidemiology