CIRCUMSTANCES OF INJURY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DAMAGE IN CHILDREN INJURED DURING ELECTRIC VEHICLE DRIVING

Abstract

Introduction. Trauma as a result of road accidents is the leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5–29. In recent years, a new type of road accident involving children driving light personal and low-speed electric vehicles has emerged, with its own specific traumagenesis and type of injury. Objective: To improve the effectiveness of emergency medical care for children who were injured as a result of driving light personal and low-speed electric vehicles by determining the cause of injury, studying the structure and characteristics of injuries. Materials and Methods. The total study population consisted of 57 injured children. The epidemiological and nosological characteristics of the patients were studied. The causes and circumstances of road traffic accidents were studied to determine risk factors. The condition of the injured children was assessed using the generally accepted injury scales PTS (Pediatric Trauma Score), ISS (Injury severity score) and SIPA (Shock Index, Pediatric Age-Adjusted). Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric statistics in accordance with the principles and criteria of evidence-based medicine. Results: The main causes of the accident were violations of road safety rules by children driving the vehicle and violations of vehicle operation rules. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients indicate that males are at increased risk of injury, mainly in the age groups of 4–6 years and 12–14 years. The dominant mechanism of injury was a fall. The majority of patients sustained mild or moderate injuries. In the nosological structure of injuries, head injuries, bruises and abrasions of the extremities were the most common. Conclusions: In recent years, a new type of road accident involving children driving light personal and low-speed electric vehicles has emerged, with a specific type of traumatogenesis and type of injury. Undoubtedly, the problem requires further careful study.