engleski

Air bag injuries in children

Introduction: The use of air-bags in cars contributes significantly to the reduction of injuries in case of car accidents. However, in some cases their activation at the moment of the crash may cause a variety of injuries. In most cases they are light injuries like erythema, abrasion and contusion of the face, neck or thorax. Serious injuries like eye injuries, otologic complications, injuries of cranial nerves (most frequently injuries of the facial nerve), temporomandibular joint, facial bones as well as injuries of the upper respiratory system, are less frequent. The children who are placed and secured on the front seat not in accordance with the regulations face the highest risk of suffering the aforementioned injuries. Data and methods: The paper presents the case of a child who suffered serious injuries of the head, face and neck in a car accident when the air-bag was activated. The injuries required the child' s hospitalization and surgical treatment. They did not cause later consequences. Conclusion: Placing children on the front seat of the car (especially small children in child's seats facing the back of the car) exposes them to a close contact with the air-bag whose activation can cause various injuries. In order to avoid bad consequences of the air-bag's activation while simultaneously maintaining their safety function in case of the crash, it is necessary to comply with safety measures of their use.

Air bag; injuries; children

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