Driveway motor vehicle and bicycle injuries in children at Alwahda Hospital, Derna-Libya [2005-2006]

ABSTRACT

To describe the frequency, nature and outcome of driveway injuries in children. A retrospective study of driveway-related injuries in children less than 16 years of age admitted to Alwahda Hospital, Derna-Libya, from January 2005 to December 2006, and deaths reported. Circumstances of injury; type and number of injuries were identified. A total number of 104 children were admitted to Alwahda Hospital with driveway-related injuries [2005-2006], representing 17.3% of all with motor vehicle injuries. Fourteen deaths representing 13.5% of cases were reported. Males were 85 [81.7%] and females were 19 [18.3%]. Head injuries represented 41.3% [43/104] of cases followed by extremities 31.7% [33/104] then extremities with multiple injuries - 16.3% [17/104]. Sprain or contusions represented 43.3% [45/104] of cases, open wound 26.9% [28/104] and fractures 20.2% [21/104]. Cars were involved in 79% of all injuries, light commercial vehicles or bicycles were involved in 21%. About 75% of injuries occurred in the afternoon or night, and 45% of injuries took place in the summer months. Driveway injuries in children account for a significant proportion of paediatric pedestrian motor vehicle injuries and deaths in Derna. Prevention represents the only effective approach to reducing deaths from this cause