Citation

Walsh A, Sheehan E, Walsh MG. Ir. Med. J. 2003; 96(5): 148-149.

Affiliation

National Spinal Injuries Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles St., Dublin 7. walshajw@eircom.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Winstone Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12848123

Abstract

The use of the 2-point seat belt or lap belt in motor vehicles, particularly to restrain young rear seat passengers, remains an issue of some concern. The occurrence of lumbar spinal flexion-distraction injuries in lap belt restrained children and adolescents during road traffic accidents is a well known phenomenon, but is still occurring. High velocity paediatric Chance fractures are frequently associated with significant intra-abdominal trauma. We present the case of a Chance fracture sustained by a 15 year old girl, involved in a motor vehicle collision, while wearing a lap belt. We emphasise the need to develop safer seat belt designs for juvenile car passengers.

Language: en