Analysis of Pediatric Pedestrian Struck in a Densely Populated City Area

Authors

Abby McCall, Division of Trauma, Acute Care and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow
Jazmin Belton
Christopher Butts, Division of Trauma, Acute Care and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow
Alison Muller, Division of Trauma, Acute Care and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow
Adam Sigal, Department of Emergency Medicine, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow
Jennifer Barney, Division of Trauma, Acute Care and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow
Traci Deaner, Department of Emergency Medicine, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow
Adrian Ong, Division of Trauma, Acute Care and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Reading Hospital - Tower Health, West Reading, PA, USAFollow

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

11-1-2023

Abstract

Introduction: In 2021, there were 3098 pedestrian-related crashes in Pennsylvania (PA) with those ≤ 18 years comprising 23% of pedestrian injuries. As children form a notable minority of injured pedestrians, we aimed to analyze characteristics associated with young pedestrians struck in a densely populated urban area. Methods: Pedestrians 3-18 years struck in the city of Reading, PA from 2011 to 2021 were analyzed. Area and population density of the city were 9.84 square miles and 9,662/square mile respectively. Persons ≤ 18 years comprised 29% of the city population. Data was obtained from the PA Department of Transportation's Crash Infor- mation Tool. Univariable and bivariable statistics were used to analyze the association between age and crash characteristics. “Older” children were defined as those 13 -18 years. Results: 387 involved children were analyzed. Compared to older children (n=138), younger children (n=249) were more likely to be struck in non-intersection roadways (67% vs 34%, p=0.002). In intersection-related crashes (n=171), 44% were signalized, 98% involved three-way or four-way intersections and 15% were at stop -controlled intersections. 26 (7%) crashes occurred in a school zone. 304 (79%) occurred between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., with younger children more likely to be struck between these hours (84% vs 68%, p=0.004). Younger children were more likely to be struck on Saturday and Sundays (31% vs 20%, p=0.02). Conclusion: Younger children were more likely to be struck in non-intersection areas, on afternoon and evening hours and on weekends. Understanding the epidemiology may offer opportunities for targeted injury prevention.

Publication Title

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Volume

237

Issue

5 Supplement 1

First Page

S557

Last Page

S558

Comments

9th Owen H Wangensteen Scientific Forum of the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress held 2023-10-22 to 2023-10-25 in Boston, MA, USA.

Recommended Citation

McCall, A., Belton, J., Butts, C., Muller, A., Sigal, A., Barney, J., Deaner, T., & Ong, A. (2023). Analysis of Pediatric Pedestrian Struck in a Densely Populated City Area. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 237 (5 Supplement 1), S557-S558. https://doi.org/10.1097/XCS.0000000000000843