In this study a unique database is utilized that allows for the calculation of the correlation of injuries to child passengers involved in motor vehicle accidents with the restraint system and the accident characteristics. The database contains 4600 records of accidents involving children age 12 and under that occurred in 13 counties in western New York State during 1991 and 1992. Injuries to child occupants are presented in Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) formats, with each specific injury assigned Abbreviated Injury Scale (A1S90) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD9) identifiers. Data presented includedescriptive statistics concerning concerning accident configurations and occupant and injury characteristics. Analyses indicate that the risk of injury in this study is 58% for unrestrained children, 30% for children restrained by adult systems, and 16% for those in properly used child restraints. The most severe injures to children in properly used child restraints included five children (2%) who sustained MAIS equal to 3 injuries. MAIS equal to or greater than 3 injuries were reported to 25 unrestrained children (6.5%, including 7 fatalities), and 13 children in adult restraints (2%, including2 fatalities).
Abstract