Ill-fitting seatbelts linked to spinal injuries in childrenRSS Feed

Children who wear ill-fitting seatbelts may be at an increased risk of suffering a spinal injury, it is believed.

Dr Gabrielle Nuthall of Starship's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in New Zealand states that injuries to the abdominal region and head can also be linked to inappropriate seatbelt use, Voxy.co.nz reports.

She believes that booster seats can play an important role in reducing the risk of such injuries in children.

"Booster seats raise a child's sitting height, making sure the shoulder strap and lap belt are correctly and safely positioned on a child," she explained.

The report adds that booster seat legislation has had a positive impact in the UK, with a thousand fewer children seriously injured or killed in crashes in the first year that booster seats became mandatory.

Experts at Tel Aviv University's School of Health Professionals recently announced that they have been using "magic" to help youngsters who have spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.

Dr Dido Green and colleagues have been doing sleight-of-hand tricks with items such as sponge balls, elastics and paper clips, as part of their efforts to encourage the children to improve their motor skills.

Serious Law, leading spinal cord injury solicitors

Period of inactivity 'carries risk of spinal injuries'

24 March 2010

People who have several months of inactivity may be at greater risk of experiencing spinal cord injuries, it is reported.Activities such as heavy lifting, repeated bending from the waist and improperly...

Read More...

Leicester Tigers rugby player prescribed rest for spinal injury

23 March 2010

An up-and-coming Leicester Tigers rugby player has been told to rest after suffering a spinal injury.Will Hurrell is likely to miss the remainder of the season but is not expected to experience any long-term...

Read More...

Rio Ferdinand 'treated with spinal cord injections'

23 March 2010

Rio Ferdinand has revealed that he was given a series of spinal cord injections as part of treatment for a serious back injury, it is reported.The Manchester United and England defender told the News of...

Read More...