Bicycle riding and oral/maxillofacial trauma in young children

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the frequency of oral/maxillofacial injuries in children who have had a bicycle incident and to relate this to the wearing of a protective helmet. Design Part of a larger prospective study in which self‐administered questionnaires were completed by each child with bicycle‐related injuries and their parents or caregivers. Setting Two tertiary‐referral children's hospitals (between 1 April 1991 and 30 June 1992) and three general hospitals (between 1 August 1991 and 30 June 1992) in Brisbane. Participants 813 children aged under 15 years who presented to the accident and emergency departments with bicycle‐related injuries. Results There were 321 children (39.5%) who sustained oral/maxillofacial injuries. Of 1355 injuries, 340 (25.1%) were to the facial region. Of the 153 children admitted to hospital for bicycle‐related injuries, 94 (61.4%) had oral/maxillofacial injury as the primary reason for admission (including those with a reduced level of consciousness). Of the 66 children with a reduced level of consciousness, 53 had concomitant facial injuries. The most common oral/maxillofacial injuries were facial abrasions, cuts and lacerations (50.3%); soft tissue injuries to the mouth (30.9%); and dentoalveolar trauma (9.7%). Over half of these children were wearing bicycle helmets. Of the 15 facial fractures (mandibular, nasal, and zygomatico‐orbital), 10 were in children wearing helmets. Conclusions Oral/maxillofacial injuries are frequent among child bicycle riders, even for those who wear Australian Standards‐approved bicycle helmets. Bicycle helmets need design modifications (e.g., lightweight chin protectors) to more adequately protect the face and jaw.

Pediatric facial fractures: recent advances in prevention, diagnosis and management

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“…Mandibular fractures are the most common facial fractures seen in hospitalized children 1,11,12,21,32,53,55,70,88,90,96,107,117,134 . Their incidence increases with age 28,45,90,96 .…”

Epidemiology of bicycle injury, head injury, and helmet use among children in British Columbia: a five year descriptive study

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] One of the untoward results of bicycle use is head injuries. Recent legislation made the use of helmets mandatory for all bicyclists in British Columbia starting in September 1996.…”

Bicycle Related Injuries in Adults and Children in the Central Anatolian Region: Analysis of 4 Years

“…Thompson et al (22) reported helmets as protective against upper and mid facial injuries, but showed its ineffectiveness against lower facial injuries. Similarly, Acton et al (26) showed that helmets did not prevent maxillofacial injuries among children, and suggested t that the design of the helmets be modified.…”