Infant car restraints are invaluable in reducing death and injury in car crashes. They are however, designed for infants that fit within average size and weight parameters. Some infants, such as premature and low birth weight infants are outside these parameters and consequently may not fit securely in infant restraints. Premature infants may also experience other developmental problems that may place them at risk in infant car restraints. A search of the literature, peer reviewed sources as well as other available information was conducted in order to identify and review existing recommendations and information related to premature infants and infant car restraints. The initial search was in literature in the last 5 – 10 years, but this had to be extended out to the last 20 years due to the scarcity of papers. A series of studies conducted mainly in the USA and Canada in the last twenty years was subsequently identified and reviewed for relevance and comparison to current Australian Standards infant restraints. All of the studies reviewed showed that premature, low birth weight and some term infants may experience episodes of apnea, bradycardia and oxygen desaturation in infant car restraints. Premature and low birth weight infants also did not fit securely into the restraints used in the studies. The restraints used in these studies do not appear to be comparable with current Australian Standards restraints, so further research using Australian Standards restraints is recommended in order to develop policy and procedure for Australian Neonatal Care Units. (Author/publisher)
Abstract