NEW YORK, Dec 14 (Reuters Health) -- If you are buying a bicycle, skates or other gift for an active child, don't forget a helmet -- accidental injury is the leading killer of children under 15 years of age, researchers note.
"Fortunately, 9 out 10 such injuries are preventable," Dr. Robert Tibbs, Jr., of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and colleagues report in the current issue of The Anatomical Record. Children are at greatest risk from falling and being ejected or thrown in a car or bicycle accident, according to the report. A head injury is the most common cause of death in injured youngsters.
However, educating children and their parents through programs such as the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, can help prevent such injuries, according to the report.
"For example, scarcely one child in 100 wore a bicycle helmet 10 years ago, before the development of such programs," the authors write. "It is now estimated that up to one in four children uses a bicycle helmet; this has helped decrease bicycle-related deaths by 35% over the same time period."
Encouraging use of seatbelts and child safety seats can also reduce the risk of injury. About 40% of children continue to ride in cars unrestrained, despite the fact that seat belts can reduce the risk of injury and death by up to 50%, according to the report. The cost of accidental injuries in children is $180 billion.
"It is estimated that every bicycle helmet saves this country $395 and every properly used child safety seat $1,360 in both direct medical costs and other costs to society," the authors write. "In this respect, each individual bicycle helmet and child safety seat has the potential to save tens of thousands of times its purchase price in medical costs alone."
"The injuries inflicted bear an enormous cost, both financial and emotional, to the victim, the victim's family, the community and society as a whole," they conclude.
SOURCE: The Anatomical Record 1998;253:167-175.
