New research has warned against complacency towards seat belt injuries to children in car accidents, as they could be signal more serious trauma.
Researchers at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital, urged physicians to look for the more serious consequences of a car accident to children, particularly spinal cord injury, which might not be easy to detect.
"Unless physicians are diligent, spinal-cord injuries are hard to diagnose in children. In the event of a car accident, seat belt injuries such as bruising and tenderness should warrant search for other injuries," said Harsh Grewal, MD, in the report published in the August issue of the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine.
Car accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injury in children and adolescents.
Children who are 4 to 8 years old are the most likely to be using ill-fitting seatbelts or be improperly restrained.
Seat belts and restraints have to be adjusted properly to the height of the individual.
Researchers also recommended the careful moving and transportation of a victim after an accident, in case of serious spinal injuries.
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