| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 11
| Issue : 4 | Page : 191-197 |
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Epidemiology and factors associated with all-terrain vehicle accidents in children: A retrospective cross-sectional study of a trauma registry in Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Al Mutari1, Bushra Alasmari2, Lama Aldosari2, Rahaf Alluhaidan2, Reham Aljohani2, Shahd Omar Hijazi2, Fatmah Othman3
1 Department of Pediatric Emergency, King Abdullah Specialist Children Hospital; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2 King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
3 King Abdullah International Medical Research Center; Department of Research, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Fatmah Othman
Department of Epidemiology, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, P.O.Box. 3660, Riyadh, 11481
Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/IJCIIS.IJCIIS_156_20
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Background: All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents have a substantial impact on the pediatric population in Saudi Arabia; however, few local studies are available. An in-depth study of this issue and adequate implementation of regulations are required to prevent additional casualties. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of ATV injuries in the pediatric population and the outcomes associated with the injuries.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at a Level 1 trauma center in Riyadh. All patients, aged ≤14 years and admitted due to an ATV accident, from 2004 to 2018 were included in this study. Demographic information, hospital course, and injury outcomes were extracted from the King Abdulaziz Medical City trauma registry. Each medical record was reviewed for short-term complications and the mechanism of injury. The primary outcome measure was the type of injury associated with ATV accidents; the secondary outcomes were injury site and mechanism of injury, and the association between the impact of injury and the clinical and demographic variable.
Results: In total, 165 patients were involved in ATV accidents and met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 8 ± 4 years, and 79% (131/165) were boys. Over 50% (84/165) of the sample had lower limb injuries. The majority of patients had fracture injuries (37%, 61/165), followed by amputations (30%, 50/165). Of the amputation group, the majority (86%, 43/50) was from 1 to 5 years compared to the no amputation group (P < 0.001). For the amputation group, 67% (33/50) had a limb trapped in the chain of the vehicle as to the mechanism of injury.
Conclusion: The majority of patients had lower-extremity injuries, specifically fractured (37%) or amputated (30%) with children from age 1–5 years having a significantly higher proportion of hospital admission compared to the rest of the study population. Despite the existing legislation for ATV use in children, they are not enforced. The finding of this study recommends urgent implementation of these regulations for both ATV retailers and users and promotes public awareness about the severity of such injuries.
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