Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Filename 11.pdf
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Date added April 23, 2014
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Category 2013 CMRSC XXIII Montréal
Tags Session 4A
Author/Auteur Marianne Beaudin, Nelson Piché, Laure Dunand, Élizabeth Rousseau, Dickens St-Vil

Abstract

All-terrain vehicles (ATV) legislation in Quebec is among the most restrictive in Canada. The purpose of our study was to characterize the pediatric ATV traumas in our center and determinate the impact of legislation. Retrospective chart review of all patients seen in the emergency department (ED) after an ATV injury was done from 2005 to 2011. Seventy-three patients (50 boys and 23 girls) with a mean age of 11 year-old (3-17) were identified. Forty-nine percent were drivers, 40% passengers and 11% unknown. Forty-five percent did not reach the legal age of 16 year-old. Helmet use was documented in 36%. Eighty-five percent were admitted to the floor and 15% were discharged from the ED. Intensive care unit stay was necessary in 21% and 60% were operated. Most of the surgeries were for orthopedic, either extremities, spine or pelvic (80%). The most frequent types of trauma were extremities (30%), head (30%) and face (25%). Head trauma was severe in 23%. Hospitalization rates for ATV injuries have remained unchanged in the last years. Despite implementation of ATV legislation regarding helmet use and minimal legal age, a lot of our patients did not obey these rules. This study demonstrates that strong legislation did not have a real impact on ATV morbidity in children. It is essential to develop strategies to enforce ATV users to respect legislation.

Marianne Beaudin, Nelson Piché, Laure Dunand, Élizabeth Rousseau, Dickens St-Vil