Abstract
Background and objectives: Injury patterns in bicycle accidents may vary
depending on patient age and mechanism of accident. We aimed to
investigate characteristics of patients involved in bicycle accidents,
along with mechanisms of accidents and clinical outcomes in children.
Methods: Children admitted to the pediatric emergency department of a
tertiary referral hospital during a four-year period due to bicycle
accidents were included. The mechanism of accident was classified into
two groups; high-energy trauma and low-energy trauma. Statistical
analyses were performed to recognize injury patterns and clinical
outcomes associated with mechanism of accident. Results: 360 children
were included. 2 patients were using helmet. 29 patients required
surgery. 14 patients had clinically important traumatic brain injury. 8
and 2 patients had permanent neurologic sequela and finger amputation,
respectively. In high-energy trauma, significantly more commonly
affected anatomical areas compared to low-energy trauma were
extremities, head and neck, and multiple injuries. Abrasions/soft tissue
injuries, scalp fractures, maxillofacial fractures and traumatic brain
injury were also significantly more common types of injury in
high-energy trauma. Conclusions: In a retrospective cohort with low rate
and no obligatory regulation of helmet use, high-energy bicycle
accidents can cause significant clinical outcomes, including
maxillofacial and scalp fractures, traumatic brain injury, and permanent
disability.