Cincinnati Children's Study Confirms Risks of All-Terrain Vehicles
CINCINNATI - A study by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center confirms that all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are risky for children, particularly during warmer months.
The study conducted by Rebeccah Brown, MD, pediatric trauma surgeon, and Charles Mehlman, DO, MPH, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, found that ATV accidents are more likely to occur April through September. Almost 70 percent of ATV riders have multiple injuries, and nearly 40 percent require an operation. Falls from an ATV are the most common reason for injury. The average age of a child involved in an ATV crash is 11 years old and almost all (93 percent) ATV injuries occur in children under the age of 16.
Cincinnati Children's supports the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and ATV manufacturers recommendations stating due to immature judgement and physical skills, children who are not licensed drivers or 16 years old should not be allowed to operate ATVs. Cincinnati Children's also encourages the use of motorcycle helmets and discourages children to have passengers or ride as a passenger while on an ATV.
So far this year, Cincinnati Children's has treated two patients for ATV-related injuries. The medical center has seen nearly 150 ATV-related injuries since 1992, including two deaths. Sixty-three percent of those injured were not wearing helmets.
Note: The study is published in the March issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
Contact Information
Amy Caruso, 513-636-5637, amy.caruso@chmcc.org
