Pediatric Pedestrians and Bicyclists versus Motor Vehicle Accidents: Comparison of Injury Patterns by Mechanism and Influence of Socioeconomic Status

摘要

Blunt trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric trauma. Pedestrian- and bicyclist-versus-motor vehicle accident (pedestrian- and bicyclist-vs-MVA) are two mechanisms that have high rates of musculoskeletal, external (e.g., lacerations and wounds), and closed head injuries with mortality rates of approximately 3 per cent for both injury types in pediatric patients. Low socioeconomic status, African-American race, and lack of insurance have all been linked with higher hospitalization rates and mortality in pediatric trauma—including both blunt and penetrating mechanisms. In designing the current study, we hypothesized that factors such as higher speed limits, lack of proper infrastructure, and less parental supervision in indigent neighborhoods might influence pediatric pedestrian- and bicyclist-vs-MVA injury patterns and severity when compared with more affluent neighborhoods. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the injury patterns, severity, and outcome of pedestrian- and bicyclist-vs-MVA blunt trauma injuries in pediatric patients stratified by their socioeconomic status.