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OBJECTIVE: Unintentional injury is the leading cause of pediatric mortality. One leading cause of unintentional injury is pedestrian injury. Children with developmental disabilities, particularly those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-combined type (ADHD-C) seem to have increased pedestrian injury risk. This study examined (1) the differences in pedestrian behavior between children with ADHD-C and normally developing comparison children and (2) the mediating factors that might link ADHD-C with pedestrian injury risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 78 children aged 7 to 10 years (39 children with ADHD-C diagnoses and 39 age- and gender-matched typically developing children) participated. The main outcome measure was pedestrian behavior, as measured in a semi-immersive, interactive, virtual pedestrian environment. Key pedestrian variables related to different aspects of the crossing process were identified: (1) before the cross (ie, evaluating aspects of the crossing environment); (2) making the cross (ie, deciding to cross and initiating movement); and (3) safety of the cross (ie, safety within the pedestrian environment after the decision to cross was made). RESULTS: Children with ADHD-C chose riskier pedestrian environments to cross within (F172 = 4.83; P < .05). No significant differences emerged in other aspects of the crossing process. Executive function played a mediating role in the relationship between ADHD-C and the safety of the cross. CONCLUSIONS: Children with ADHD-C seem to display appropriate curbside pedestrian behavior but fail to process perceived information adequately to permit crossing safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Five instances of three-wheeler, all-terrain vehicle accidents resulting in spinal cord injury are presented. Age range of victims was from 7 to 18 years. Of the five cases of spinal cord injury, three resulted in quadriplegia and two in paraplegia. Reports of all-terrain vehicle accidents in childhood from the US Consumer Product Safety Committee are also reviewed. Concerns are raised about the need for further data gathering about instances and types of injuries from these types of vehicles and the safety of use in all ages of children for these heavy, potentially high-speed vehicles. Pediatrics 1986; 77:271-274; traffic accident, three-wheeler vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle accident, spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]