Citation

Osberg JS, Di Scala C. Am. J. Public Health 1992; 82(3): 422-425.

Affiliation

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center Hospitals, Boston, MA 02111.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1531584

PMCID

PMC1694348

Abstract

It is well established that seat belts reduce mortality and morbidity among children. Data are presented for 413 children injured severely enough in motor vehicle crashes to require hospitalization. Of the unrestrained children, 4.5% died, compared with 2.4% of the belted children. Unrestrained children had a higher proportion of injuries in four of five anatomical regions, were more severely injured, stayed longer in the hospital, and were 15% more likely than belted children to be discharged with impairments.