Descriptive analysis of road traffic accidents in children aged 0-2 years

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to investigate road traffic accidents (RTAs) involving infants and toddlers, defined as children from birth to 2 years old, focusing specifically on their epidemiology and outcomes. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in the Emergency Department of a university-affiliated training and research hospital. Data were collected from July 1, 2019, to January 1, 2024. Results: During the study period, 659 cases involved pediatric RTAs patients (individuals under 17 years old), with 41 cases specifically concerning infants and toddlers. These patients had a mean age of 12.98 ± 5.64 months, and 27 (65.9%) were boys. The median Pediatric Trauma Score for was 9 (range: 5-12) while the median pGCS score was 15 (range: 14-15). Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of injuries, accounting for 92.6% of cases, followed by motorcycle accidents (4.8%) and pedestrian-vehicle collisions (2.6%). Hospitalized patients exhibited various injuries, including femur fractures, subdural hematoma, orbital roof fracture, scalp hematomas, and lung contusion. Surgical intervention was required in only one case for a femur shaft fracture. Fortunately, no in-hospital deaths occurred among the study participants. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of adult supervision to prevent RTAs and emphasizes the critical need for strict enforcement of child passenger safety laws to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle accidents involving infants and toddlers.