Brain injuries among infants, children, adolescents and young adults

Article Abstract:

The available data concerning brain injuries and blunt force head trauma are primarily derived from general epidemiological publications and the unpublished cohort San Diego County Brain Injury Study (SDCBI), which was prepared in 1981. For the purpose of the San Diego study, brain injury is defined as "physical damage to, or functional impairment of the cranial contents from acute mechanical energy exchange exclusive of birth trauma". Deaths from brain injuries were estimated at 7,000 in the 0 to 19 age group in 1985 (29 percent of all injury deaths). Males were brain-injured 2.1 times more often than females. Brain injuries occurred most frequently in victims of motor vehicle accidents. Motorcycle accidents, falls from heights, and sports and recreational injuries were the next most significant contributors to brain injury mortality. Falls were most frequent in the youngest children, and falls and motor vehicle injuries most frequent in the pre-school age group. Sports events were incriminated most frequently in adolescents, and motor vehicle injuries were more significant in the oldest group. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to assess the degree of recovery; from full recovery, to varying degrees of disability, to the persistent vegetative state, to death. The statistics presented are a general summary of the available data. The use of helmets, seat belts, passive restraints, and the avoidance of alcohol consumption and drug abuse are recommended means to accomplish the reduction of brain injuries among all ages of children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Causes of, Demographic aspects, Brain-damaged children

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How bicycle-related injuries change bicycling practices in children

Article Abstract:

Injuries sustained while riding bicycles are a leading cause of childhood injuries and death. There are more than 500,000 emergency room visits each year in the United States to treat injuries received during bicycle riding. Of this number more than half are involve children between 5 and 14 years of age. There are approximately 900 deaths related to bicycle crashes each year and about two thirds involve children in this age range. The head is the most frequently involved part of the body in terms of both injuries and deaths from bicycling. Despite this fact, few children wear a protective helmet while riding. The effect of a serious bicycle-related injury on future practices within a group of 82 families was examined. From a list of 232 eligible families, 82 were reached by telephone and agreed to participate in a telephone survey. In this group, all but two of the children continued to ride bicycles after their hospitalization. Only 7.3 percent sometimes wore bicycle helmets before their injuries, and 3.7 were wearing one at the time of injury. Following hospitalization, more children wore helmets (24.4 percent), and more of their brothers and sisters also wore helmets. Few of the children (20.7 percent) had ever participated in bicycle safety programs. Although the dangers of bicycling are real, even after hospitalization few parents and injured children changed their riding behavior. Nevertheless, the hospitalization of a child for a bicycle accident can be an opportune time to educate the family about safer cycling habits. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Injuries, Safety and security measures, Surveys, Cycling, Helmets, Cyclists

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