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Although injury patterns after motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are well documented, association between adequate restraint and injury severity is unclear. We aimed to determine if improper restraint affects injury rates and severity.

A retrospective chart review of 477 children hospitalized in Pediatric Trauma Center after MVC was performed. Injuries in various age groups (0–7, 8–12, 13–16, 17–18 years) with different restraint quality measures (proper [PR] and improper/unrestrained [IUR]) as well as injury severity score (ISS: mild [1–9], moderate [10–15], severe [16–25], and profound [> 25]) were evaluated and compared. Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for statistics.

In all age groups head/neck injuries were most common (55–63%), while abdominal and pelvic injuries were least likely except group 8–12 years where abdominal injuries ranked third (17.1%). Overall …