Impact of helmets on injuries to riders of all-terrain vehicles.

BACKGROUND: Although helmet use has been shown to be effective in reducing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to motorcycle and bicycle crashes, it is unknown whether helmet use is associated with different injury patterns and severity for users of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). OBJECTIVES: To compare likelihood of injury and death between helmeted and unhelmeted riders of ATVs. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank for years 2002-2006 was used to examine the records of 11 589 patients hospitalized for injuries resulting from ATV use. The likelihood of receiving a TBI diagnosis or a significant injury to other body regions and differences in injury severity and in-hospital mortality between helmeted and unhelmeted ATV riders were compared. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustment, compared with helmeted riders, unhelmeted riders were significantly more likely to sustain any TBI (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.76, p<0.001) and major/severe TBI (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.39 to 4.25, p<0.001). Unhelmeted riders were significantly more likely to die while in hospital than were helmeted riders (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.79 to 3.71, p<0.001). Significant injuries to the neck and face regions were also significantly more likely in unhelmeted riders (OR 3.53, 95% CI 1.28 to 9.71, p = 0.015, and OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.84, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ATV riders who do not wear helmets are more likely to receive significant injuries to the head, face, and neck. Prevention strategies and enforceable policy interventions to increase helmet use among ATV riders appear warranted.

All-terrain vehicle injury in children: strategies for prevention.

OBJECTIVE: A variety of educational efforts, policies, and regulations have been adopted to reduce all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injury in children. Despite this, ATV use by children continues and serious injuries are common. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, practices, and beliefs of ATV users to help develop effective educational strategies to promote safer ATV use. DESIGN: Focus groups were conducted to characterize participant ATV use and safety awareness as well as to explore avenues for prevention. Feedback on draft ATV safety public service announcements was elicited. Themes of transcribed focus group data were summarized. SETTING: Rural state with high ATV use and injury rates. SUBJECTS: Adult and adolescent ATV users. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Summaries of focus group discussions. RESULTS: ATV riders frankly discussed current use and safety behaviors and were aware of some ATV risks. Youths felt that age specific regulation was unlikely to be a helpful strategy. Participants endorsed messages demonstrating graphic consequences as likely to get the attention of young riders regarding risks. Educational settings were suggested, including hunter and driver safety classes. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to improve ATV safety awareness should clearly show pediatric ATV injury risk and safety practices. Campaigns must also show realistic understanding of current use practices to be credible for users. Messages emphasizing the consequences of ATV use were endorsed as most likely to have impact. Approaches based on age based restrictions were considered unrealistic and alternative strategies were suggested.

Sympathomimetic drug use in adolescents presenting to a pediatric emergency department with chest pain.

BACKGROUND: Drug use has been associated with chest pain in adults presenting for emergency care. The association of drug use and chest pain in adolescents presenting to a pediatric emergency department has not been evaluated. METHODS: Urine drug testing was conducted in a convenience sample of healthy adolescents with chest pain (cases) and compared to a control group of adolescents presenting with other complaints to a pediatric emergency department. Exclusion criteria were known diagnoses associated with chest pain (e.g., cardiac disease, sickle cell disease) and major trauma (due to its association with drug use). Urine drug testing consisted of 2 screening tests and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmation of all positive or indeterminate results. All patients completed a questionnaire regarding recently prescribed, over-the-counter, and illicit drug use. RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases and 26 controls completed the study over an 11-month study period. No cases or controls were positive for cocaine whereas marijuana was detected in 7 (25.0%) cases and in 7 (26.7%) controls. Five (17.8%) of the cases but none of the controls were positive for ephedrine (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ephedrine exposure appeared to be associated with chest pain in adolescents presenting for emergency care and marijuana was the most common drug of abuse, regardless of presenting complaint.

A comparison of interventions to improve clinic follow-up compliance after a pediatric emergency department visit.

A randomized prospective study was made to compare two interventions to improve compliance with follow-up appointments (FA) after a pediatric emergency department (ED) visit. The study population was 253 patients and families seen during daytime hours at a large pediatric ED and who required follow-up for their diagnosed condition. A control group of patients were told to call the clinic for FA, an appointment group of patients were given a FA in the ED prior to discharge and written reminder, and an intense group of patients were given a FA in the ED prior to discharge, a written reminder; they were offered a work excuse, child care, and transportation assistance; they were sent mailed reminders and had attempts at telephone reminders. More patients in the appointment group (47%, P < 0.001) and intense group (52%, P < 0.001) kept FA than the control group (24%). Attempted telephone contact was unsuccessful in 39% of the intense group. When telephone contact was successful, patients were more likely to keep FA (62 vs 38%, P < 0.04). Families left to make their own FA did so only 32% of the time. Medical record review of ED and clinic visits for one year after intervention indicated no long-term behavior change in appointment-making behavior or ED use in any group. It was concluded that providing a convenient FA prior to ED discharge improves compliance with clinic follow-up. If telephone contact is successful, telephone reminders also improve compliance. If follow-up is recommended, the majority of patients do not make their own appointments. A one-time intervention does not result in a long-term behavioral change in use of clinics or the ED.

Clinical effect of a quality assurance system for radiographs in a pediatric emergency department.

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical relevance and effectiveness of a quality assurance system used to identify discordant x-ray interpretations between emergency department pediatricians and pediatric radiologists in the emergency department of a large pediatric hospital. Of 5862 patients who underwent 8174 radiographic studies during a one year period, 286 patients with discordant radiographic diagnoses were identified. The incidence of discordant radiograph interpretation was determined to be 3.5% (286/8174 studies). Of those patients with discordant diagnoses, 11.5% (33/286 discordant diagnoses) received immediate intervention by the emergency department, 64.0% (183) received subsequent intervention at their follow-up appointment or by the inpatient team caring for them, 9.4% (27) required no intervention, and 15.0% (43) had no evidence of necessary intervention documented on their medical record. While only 33/5862 (0.6%) patients receiving radiographs after routine working hours required immediate intervention by the emergency department, this intervention was potentially lifesaving. No adverse outcomes were identified in this group of patients who did not receive immediate interpretation of their radiographs by a radiologist. When 24-hour in-house radiology coverage is not provided, a quality assurance system that recalls patients identified with discordant radiographic diagnoses, who may require a change in management, appears to be an effective method of patient management only when discordant interpretations are identified and promptly acted upon.

Security in pediatric emergency departments.

With increasing emergency department (ED) violence, security in pediatric EDs is an important concern. The objective of this study was to document current security measures taken in pediatric EDs in the United States. A telephone survey of the security director or designee in the 42 children's hospitals in the United States with over 150 beds was performed. A questionnaire focusing on ED security was administered. Two hospitals declined to participate. In 62.5% of EDs surveyed, a security officer is present in the ED 24 hours/day. Hospital security officers carry firearms in 32.5% of hospitals surveyed. Most (92.5%) EDs have an alarm system or "panic button" which alerts central security; but only 15% have a direct phone from the ED to security. Seven EDs (17.5%) use bullet-resistant glass, and 14 EDs (35%) have controlled access. No ED reported universal metal detector screening. Fourteen directors (35%) reported having had a firearm-related incident in their ED in the past year. In spite of the relatively common nature of ED violence, security measures in pediatric EDs are varied, with most EDs not using all measures recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Left-handedness as an injury risk factor in adolescents.

PURPOSE: Left-handedness has been suggested as a risk factor for unintentional trauma. The objective of this study was to determine if left-handedness was associated with an increased frequency and severity of injury among adolescent school athletes. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 634 junior and senior high school athletes during preparticipation examinations. The questionnaire consisted of a four-item handedness determination and history of past injury. RESULTS: Left-handers more frequently reported having seen a physician in the previous year for treatment of an injury than did right-handers. A higher proportion of the left-handers than right-handers reported having been previously hospitalized for injury treatment. A higher proportion of left-handers than right-handers reported having previously had surgery for treatment of an injury. CONCLUSIONS: Left-handedness appears to be a risk factor for injury among adolescent school athletes.

Left-handedness as a risk factor for unintentional injury in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether left-handedness is a risk factor for unintentional injury among children and adolescents. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Pediatric emergency department of Arkansas Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: 265 patients sustaining unintentional trauma aged 6 to 18 years and 494 control patients who did not have trauma were given a questionnaire to determine handedness, past unintentional injury, and parental perception of injury proneness. RESULTS: The frequency of left-handedness in the trauma group (18.1%) was significantly greater than frequency of 10.5% in the control group (P < .003, odds ratio = 1.80, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 2.72). Multivariate analysis revealed handedness as the only significant variable between trauma and control (P < .04). The proportion of left-handers who had been hospitalized previously for injury treatment (20.0%) was larger than the proportion of right-handers, (12.0%) (P < .026, odds ratio = 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 3.27). More parents of left-handers rated their child as "more clumsy than average" than parents of right-handers (26.0% vs 15.2%, P < .007). CONCLUSIONS: Left-handedness appears to be a risk factor for unintentional injury in children and adolescents in a pediatric emergency department population.

Emergency medical services preparedness for pediatric emergencies.

The study objective was to examine emergency medical services (EMS) equipment and training preparedness for pediatric emergencies in Oklahoma. The participants were 202 administrators of licensed EMS agencies in the state of Oklahoma. A mailed questionnaire was used to obtain data from EMS agencies regarding emergency ambulance run characteristics, medical control, equipment, and personnel training. There were 130 questionnaires returned (response rate, 64%). Overall, 4% of EMS emergency runs were for children under 12 years. Family medicine and emergency medicine were the most frequent specialties of medical directors. Fewer services allow personnel to perform endotracheal intubation on children (35 services) than on adults (45 services). Fewer services allow personnel to start intravenous lines on children (40 services) than on adults (47 services). Equipment for pediatric care routinely stocked on ambulances was tabulated. Most services provided intraagency continuing education, but only 71 (54%) included pediatric topics in continuing education. Deficiencies in equipment and training for pediatric emergencies are a common problem for EMS agencies in Oklahoma. Barriers to preparedness include: 1) relative infrequency of pediatric runs and difficulty with maintenance of technical skills, 2) costs associated with increased equipment and training, and 3) hesitancy to allow personnel to perform advanced life support procedures on children.

A comparison of methods for alcohol and marijuana anticipatory guidance with adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to compare adolescents' knowledge of alcohol after receiving either a computer-assisted instruction program or physician-delivered anticipatory guidance or no intervention. In addition, adolescents' satisfaction was compared between intervention groups. A total of 89 adolescents attending a general medical clinic were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. The participants were from low-to-middle income families, and the mean age was 15.5 years. A two-way analysis of variance found significant main effects for both group and sex. Those adolescents in both intervention groups were significantly more knowledgeable, and males demonstrated the highest knowledge scores. There was a significant interaction between group and sex, with females more satisfied with the computer-assisted instruction as compared to males who preferred anticipatory guidance. These data suggest that the use of computer technology during a well-adolescent health visit is effective and efficient in transmitting drug-related information.

Injuries associated with child safety seat misuse.

The charts of 370 children under the age of two years who presented to a pediatric emergency department between September 1988 and August 1989 were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients (7% of the total) had injuries associated with child safety seat (CSS) misuse. Thirteen were infants and toddlers injured as motor vehicle occupants when improperly restrained--CSS harness not properly connected (8), use of an improper device (3), and CSS not anchored to the car seat (2). Fourteen were infants under one year of age who were injured falling in their CSS. Injuries included minor head trauma (17), linear skull fracture (5), concussion (1), femoral fracture (1), depressed skull fracture with epidural hematoma (1), cervical vertebral fracture (1), and intraventricular hemorrhage (1). Nine patients were hospitalized. Injuries associated with CSS misuse may be more common than previously recognized and can result in significant injury. Educational efforts should focus on correct usage.

Stroke following oral trauma in children.

Stroke after oral trauma in children is a rare but catastrophic event. We describe two cases of stroke in children after each child fell with a writing instrument in the mouth. Both children had a latent period prior to the onset of neurologic symptoms. Ischemic infarction in the distribution of the middle cerebral artery was present in both cases. Both children were left with permanent hemiparesis. The case reports are reviewed and diagnosis and therapy are discussed. Emergency physicians should be aware of the risk of neurologic complications following apparently asymptomatic oral trauma.

Nifedipine poisoning in a child.

A 14-month-old child ingested approximately 800 mg (70 mg/kg) of nifedipine. When first examined, the child was unresponsive, markedly hypotensive, and hyperglycemic. According to electrocardiographic results, there was a third-degree atrioventricular block that rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest. Following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation and resuscitation with intravenous normal saline, calcium chloride and dopamine were required to restore perfusion, reverse metabolic acidosis, and stabilize vital signs. Complications related to nifedipine intoxication included the development of pulmonary edema and possible infarction in the posterior parietal and occipital lobes associated with cortical blindness and the development of seizures with an abnormal electroencephalogram. The patient recovered without clinically apparent residua. Massive nifedipine overdose in infants represents a potentially life-threatening event that requires prompt medical attention. Reported cases of nifedipine intoxication were reviewed and therapeutic interventions were discussed.

Adolescent suicide attempters presenting to a pediatric facility.

This study profiles the characteristics of adolescent suicide attempters and the treatment they received in a pediatric emergency room (ER). A retrospective chart review of 4,072 adolescents seen in the ER at a children's hospital (CH) from July 1984 to June 1985 was undertaken. Twenty-seven adolescents who had deliberately injured themselves were identified. The average age was 14 years 7 months (range 11-19 years). Fifty-two percent of the patients were white and 78% were female. Ingestion was the most common method (78%), followed by attempted hanging (11%), and wrist laceration (7%). After evaluation by a pediatrician in the ER, 30% of the patients were treated and released, 11% were transferred directly to a psychiatric hospital, and 59% were admitted to the CH, with an average hospital stay of 1.88 days. Once hospitalized, consultations from psychiatry (81%), social service (50%), psychology (19%), and neurology (6%) were obtained. At the time of discharge from either the ER or CH, the patients had a variety of plans for ongoing care, with 52% being referred to outpatient counseling, 37% being transferred to a psychiatric hospital, and 11% having no documented plan for ongoing care. These results demonstrate that the evaluation of suicidal adolescents cared for in a pediatric facility may be episodic and suggest the need for a comprehensive program to approach the problem.