In many countries it is the leading cause of death of otherwise healthy young children. Shockingly, the most significant contributor to these injuries is traumatic brain injury (TBI), with motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause.
The statistics are alarming, with South African children being as much as 8-10 times at greater risk than similarly aged children in Europe.
South Africa has one of the highest road accident-related fatality rates in the world. Disturbingly, 80% of children with severe head injuries admitted to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital are injured in road traffic accidents. Of those who were passengers in a vehicle, 96% were not restrained by seat belts or car seats.
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