Fatal road traffic accidents among young children.

ABSTRACT

Fatal road traffic accidents in childhood constitute a significant public health problem. Young children are extremely vulnerable to such injuries which are vastly preventable. 59 cases of fatal road traffic accidents in children aged below 16 years, autopsied during 1 year period were studied. Males accounted for 83.1% cases with male-female ratio of 4.9. The most common age group involved was 13-16 years. The most frequent victims of road traffic accidents were pedestrians (61%) followed by cyclists (13.6%). More than half of the cases occurred in winter season and majority occurred at 12-4 PM. Children themselves were at fault in majority of cases. Head injury alone was fatal in 72.9% cases. None of the victim received any treatment or first-aid at the site of accident. 72.9% of victims died with in 6 hrs of accident. The study highlights the pattern of fatalities due to road accidents in children and suggests suitable preventive measures to reduce burden of childhood mortality due to road accidents.