Short-term physical limitations in children following motor vehicle crashes

This study describes frequency of injury and short-term physical limitation among child occupants ≤15 years in motor vehicle crashes and examines the association between age, restraint use, seating position, and type of crash on the presence of physical limitations. Conducted from 1/1/2005–11/30/2007, as part of a child-specific crash surveillance system in 15 U.S. states; data were collected using claims records and parent/driver telephone surveys. Respondents were asked whether children sustained physical limitations from the crash and the duration limitations persisted. Overall, 3.3% had ≥1 physical limitations. Limitations increased with age, from 0.7% for children ≤3 years to 7.6% for adolescents 13–15 years (p < 0.001). Among children with AIS ≥2 injuries, the proportion with physical limitations ranged from 58% to 91% depending on injury diagnosis. Among children with whiplash, 47% resulted in physical limitations. Suboptimally restrained children were nearly twice as likely to have a limitation compared to optimally restrained children. After adjusting for driver characteristics and vehicle type, child's age, restraint use, and type of initial impact were independently associated with the presence of physical limitations. Our results show the importance of assessing children for physical limitations following motor vehicle crashes. We also observed that children with whiplash were at risk for physical limitations.