Morbidity among pediatric motor vehicle crash victims: the effectiveness of seat belts.

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.