Citation

Feitas JP, Ribeiro LA, Jorge MT. Cad. Saude Publica 2007; 23(12): 3055-3060.

Vernacular Title

Vitimas de acidentes de transito na faixa etaria pediatrica atendidas em um

Affiliation

Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Rua Johen Carneiro 870, Uberlândia, MG 38400, Brazil. jlpontes@triang.com.br

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Escola Nacional De Saude Publica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18157349

Abstract

This study analyzes epidemiological and clinic characteristics of victims of traffic accidents. Data were obtained from medical records of children under 15 years of age (n = 1,123) admitted to a university hospital in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 1999 to 2003. Mean age was eight years, 65.7% were boys, 76.6% were cyclists or pedestrians, 45.9% suffered head injuries, and 9% remained in hospital for more than two weeks. Fourteen (1.2%) died, 78.6% of these within 48 hours of hospitalization, and 85.7% with brain injuries. Among the passengers of motorcycles and larger vehicles, 58.8% were not using security devices properly at the time of the accident. Among the cyclists, 61% suffered isolated limb injuries. Meanwhile, pedestrians tended to suffer multiple lesions (57.5%) and be admitted to intensive care (7.1%), and represented 66.7% of the deaths. Epidemiological data on pediatric traffic victims can be useful for accident prevention programs.

Language: pt