Car Accidents Number One Cause of Spinal Injuries in Children

Shannon Weidemann

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A new study by researchers at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital has shown that the number one cause of spinal cord injuries in children is from car accidents. Most of the children were not wearing a seatbelt at the time.

"Motor vehicle accidents are by far the No. 1 cause of pediatric spinal cord injury within the U.S., accounting for more than 55% of cases," write the researchers.

They add that nearly 70% of the children and teens who suffered spinal cord injury in auto accidents weren't wearing seatbelts when the accident happened.

Boys have a higher tendancy to suffer a spinal cord injury by two to one. Researchers believe it may be that boys are involved in more contact sports. Seatbelt use by more children would probably reduce the number of injuries.