More Male, Pediatric Patients Suffer ATV-Related Injury

FRIDAY, Oct. 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- More male and pediatric patients suffer all-terrain vehicle (ATV) injuries than motorcycle (MOTO) and automobiles (AUTO) injuries, according to a study published online Oct. 27 in BMJ Open.

Haissam S. Elzaim, Sc.D., from the Orthopedic Institute in Edinburg, Texas, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of ATV, MOTO, and AUTO injuries from Jan. 1, 2015, to Aug. 31, 2020, at a Level 2 Trauma Center. The sample included 3,942 patients, of whom 3,626 sustained AUTO injuries, 200 sustained MOTO injuries, and 116 sustained ATV injuries.

The researchers found that significantly more male and pediatric patients suffered ATV-related injuries than injuries related to MOTO or AUTO. Open fractures were more likely for victims of ATV-related injuries. The likelihood of sustaining an injury from either AUTO or MOTO accidents than ATV accidents was lower for pediatric patients, with pediatric patients comprising 37.93, 11.58, and 7 percent of the ATV, AUTO, and MOTO injured patients, respectively. Significant associations were seen for patients with no drug use during injury and those who used protective equipment such as seat belts and child seats with lower Injury Severity Scores and higher Glasgow Coma Scale scores, indicating less severe injury.

"Public awareness campaigns to educate on ATV-related injuries, particularly in the pediatric population are needed," the authors write. "A concerted effort to highlight the vulnerability of young riders and the importance of protective equipment is a vital step in curtailing ATV-related injuries."

Abstract/Full Text