Injuries to Child in Automobile Collisions

Forty-six automobile collisions with 82 child occupants have been studied. Emphasis was placed on the mechanism of injury production and child collision kinematics.

A number of case examples illustrate these injury patterns. Also included are example cases of the effects of collisions in pregnancy and cases of restrained children.

Childhood growth characteristics as they affect injury patterns and restraint systems are discussed in detail. An analysis of current types of restraint systems is included and recommendations are made. Collision and comfort-convenience requirements of an “ideal” restraint system are listed.