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Use of ATVs By Children

Posted on: 12/11/2008
The use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has increased dramatically in the last 10 years. Injuries (even fatal ones) have increased, too. Forty per cent of all ATV-related deaths are children. What can be done to improve safety in the use of ATVs by children? That's the focus of this article.

This may be the first study to look at patterns of fractures in ATV accidents among children. Surgeons from the University of Tennessee compiled information on types of injuries in two groups of children involved in ATV accidents. The groups were divided by age: under 13 (group one) and 13 and older (group two).

Information was taken from the medical records of 96 children involved in ATV accidents. The authors looked at age, gender, type and severity of injury, treatment, and body mass index (BMI). The children were all treated at a large regional pediatric trauma center. There was a 2:1 ratio of boys to girls. Ages ranged from two to 16 years old.

Although there are many different types of injuries from ATV accidents (e.g., head, chest, or abdominal injuries), only orthopedic trauma (fractures) was investigated. After reviewing all of the data, they were able to see an age-related pattern. Older children were more likely to have a pelvic fracture. Younger children broke their leg most often (usually the femur or thigh bone).

There are already recommendations about children and ATV use. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) all agree:

  • No one under the age of 16 should be on an ATV (as a rider or driver)
  • Children 12 and under do not have the body size or strength to handle an ATV
  • Children 12 and under do not have the motor skills or coordination needed for safety on an ATV
  • Children under the age of 16 do not have the judgment or perceptual skills needed to safely
    operate high-powered vehicles such as an ATV

    ATV-related musculoskeletal injuries are common in children simply because they don't have the muscle bulk or body mass to protect them. Their injuries are different from adults. They are at risk for serious injuries, including death. Skull and facial fractures top the list of most common injuries. Brain injuries follow in a close second.

    Although leg fractures are the most common orthopedic injury, forearm, arm, and spine fractures have also been reported. Older children break more than one bone more often than younger children who tend to have a single fracture. Hospitalization and surgery were part of the treatment for two-thirds of the patients.

    Some of the other risk factors in ATV-related injuries in children are due to rider-vehicle mismatch. Many children are operating adult (full) sized ATVs. Even with the smaller, less powerful models marketed for children, rollover accidents are common. Side rollover accidents in younger children who don't have the strength to lift the machine may be the cause of leg fractures.

    The authors hope that the results of this study (and other studies like it) will increase public awareness of the dangers of ATV use in children. Wearing a helmet is the number one way to prevent brain injuries and death.

    They suggest that the guidelines offered by experts should be broadcast far and wide. And legislation to set a minimum legal age for ATV use should be considered. At the very least, some minimum training in the use and handling of these machines should be required. Future studies should focus on the presence of adult supervision, experience and training of the driver/rider, and environmental factors at the time of the accident.

    Children's safety is everyone's business. Decreasing the number and severity of these injuries must be a priority. Better yet -- preventing these types of injuries altogether should top the To Do list of all ATV manufacturers, retail businesses selling these machines, and owners/users of ATVs.

  • References:
    Ethan Kellum, MD, et al. Age-Related Patterns of Injury in Children Involved in All-Terrain Vehicle Accidents. In Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. December 2008. Vol. 28. No. 8. Pp. 854-858.

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