Injuries to Restrained Children

Sixty-two children restrained in forward-facing child restraints and booster seats were among a larger sample of children injured as passenger-car occupants. The research question was whether any systematic pattern of injuries was apparent that might justify changes in child restraint design or standards. Case study included in-depth field follow-up, with examination of the involved vehicles and crash reconstruction. Overall, injuries were minor. The only injuries caused by deceleration alone were bruising and abrasions from loads imparted from harness and seat-belt webbing. No neck injuries in the absence of head contact were found among children correctly restrained, even in high-speed frontal impacts. The only neck injury occurred in association with an improperly installed restraint. Language: en