Abstract
40 Why the need for speed? ATVS, speed and brain injuries
Injury prevention, Vol.21(Suppl 2), pp.A14-A14
04/01/2015
DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041654.40
Abstract
Statement of purposeHead trauma is the leading cause of death and serious injury from all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes. The study objective was to better understand the relationship between speed and ATV crash-related brain injuries.Methods/approachA retrospective chart review and analysis was performed of trauma registry patients with ATV-related injuries at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 2002-2013.Results560 cases were identified; 77% were male and 32% were children <18 years of age. Rollovers (45%) were most common, followed by striking an object (22%) and ejection/fall (13%). Collisions with a motorised vehicle occurred in 8% of patients. Speeds >20 mph were associated with higher Max Head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores than those less than or equal to 20 mph (p = 0.05). Crashes with speeds >30 mph had higher Max Head AIS scores than those less than or equal to 30 mph (p = 0.014). Higher speeds were also associated with a trend towards lower patient Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. Only about 20% of victims overall were wearing a helmet. Competitive racers, although helmeted, had more severe head injuries than all other victims. Competitive racers had lower GCS scores than their helmeted non-racing peers (p < 0.05). Non-racers without helmets had lower GCS scores than their helmeted peers (p = 0.003).ConclusionsHigher speed appears associated with greater head injury risk in ATV crashes. Although helmets are protective, there may be ATV crash speeds or mechanisms of brain injury at higher speeds that reduce helmet effectiveness.Significance and contributionsThis study suggests that the present maximum speed limitations for many youth size ATVs (30 mph) is not safe and puts the child at increased risk for head injury. All ATVs should have a code-protected, tamper-proof speed governor. This would particularly assist parents and employers in protecting youth and employees from the serious risks associated with high operating speeds.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- 40 Why the need for speed? ATVS, speed and brain injuries
- Creators
- Charles Jennissen - University of IowaJoshua Godding - University of IowaKarisa Harland - University of IowaGerene Denning - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Injury prevention, Vol.21(Suppl 2), pp.A14-A14
- DOI
- 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041654.40
- ISSN
- 1353-8047
- eISSN
- 1475-5785
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2015
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Epidemiology; Emergency Medicine; Injury Prevention Research Center; Law Faculty
- Record Identifier
- 9984297255302771
Metrics
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