Pediatric and Youth Traffic-Collision Injuries in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: A Prospective Study

Abstract

AimTo study the mechanism of road traffic collisions (RTC), use of safety devices, and outcome of hospitalized pediatric and youth RTC injured patients so as to give recommendations regarding prevention of pediatric RTC injuries.MethodsAll RTC injured children and youth (0–19-year-olds) who were admitted to Al Ain City’s two major trauma centers or who died after arrival to these centers were prospectively studied from April 2006 to October 2007. Demography of patients, road-user and vehicle types, crash mechanism, usage of safety devices, injured body regions, injury severity, Revised Trauma Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, intensive care unit admissions, hospital stay and mortality were analyzed.Results245 patients were studied, 69% were vehicle occupants, 15% pedestrians, 9% motorcyclists and 5% bicyclists. 79% were males and 67% UAE citizens. The most common mechanism of RTC was rollover of vehicle (37%) followed by front impact collision (32%). 32 (13%) of vehicle occupants were ejected from car. 63% of ejected occupants and 70% of motorcyclists sustained head injuries. Only 2% (3/170) vehicle passengers used seatbelts and 13% (3/23) motorcyclists a helmet.ConclusionsMale drivers and UAE nationals were at high risk of RTC as drivers and as motorcyclists. Ejection rate was high because safety restraint use was extremely low in our community. More education and law enforcement focusing especially on car/booster seat use is needed.

Road traffic accidents in children: the ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’

“…An epidemiological study from the United Arab Emirates showed a higher mean age of 13.2 years and more similar characteristics in terms of the type of RTA victims, with the majority being motor vehicle passengers. (6) Similar to several local and international studies, including those on adult populations, the proportion of boys was higher than that of girls in our study. (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) In terms of RTA victims with severe injuries, international studies have also found that pedestrians in the paediatric population account for a majority of severe injuries sustained.…”

Road Traffic Injuries and Road Safety Measures-Can We Do Any Better?

“…Most of our patients were injured in day-light, similarly to other studies [13], but in a slightly superior ratio comparing to national data (83% vs. 72%). Also consistent with literature review, we found a slightly higher incidence in summer season, coinciding with holiday months [12].…”

“…In our population there was a relative male dominance which is according to literature, that claims that boys are more likely to be involved in road traffic crashes than girls [1,10,12]. Most of our patients were injured in day-light, similarly to other studies [13], but in a slightly superior ratio comparing to national data (83% vs. 72%).…”

“…The lack of security equipment was more prevalent in twowheel vehicles (absence of helmet in 79%) than in four-wheel vehicles (26% inadequate child restraints and seat-belts). Nonetheless, the use was higher than in most studies [12,14,15].…”

Has Child Restraint System Use Increased among Parents of Children in Shantou, China?

“…The child restraint system (CRS) is an effective prevention measure in protecting children from injuries and deaths. Existing evidence shows that, when correctly installed and used, CRS reduces the risk of infant fatalities by 71% and toddler fatalities by 54% [4,5]. …”