Fellow Hasbro Children's Hospital at Rhode Island Hospital Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Background: While pediatric patients with seat belt signs (i.e., abrasions across the abdomen from lap belts) following motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are at increased risk for intra-abdominal injuries (IAIs), identification of a seat belt sign is dependent on clinicians' visual inspection of the skin. No prior study has explored potential racial and ethnic disparities in the documentation and identification of seat belt signs and subsequent evaluation for IAIs among pediatric patients in MVCs. Objective: To determine if there are racial and ethnic disparities in the documentation and identification of seat belt signs among patients with MVC-related blunt torso trauma. Design/Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a deidentified, public use dataset from a large Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) prospective observational multicenter study of children with blunt torso trauma. The study was deemed exempt by our institutional review board. Patients < 18 years were included if they were involved in MVCs and enrolled from May 2007 to January 2010. Seat belt sign was considered to be a continuous area of erythema, contusion, or abrasion across the abdomen secondary to a restraint. By February 1st, 2024, we will complete descriptive and comparative analyses of patient demographics, MVC characteristics, restraint type, physical exam findings, and documentation and identification of seat belt signs.
