Evaluation of Deaths Cases Due To Traffic Accidents in the Pediatric Age Group

Background: In this study, it was aimed to analyze the traffic accidents in pediatric age group with postmortem examinations and autopsies. Methods: 35 traffic accident reports were sought from forensic autopsy performed in 64 pediatric age groups. External examination / autopsy reports of selected cases were examined retrospectively and demographic characteristics of dead cases, accident location, accident type, type of vehicles involved in the accident, year, season, day and accident time, victims' position in traffic, orthopedic and internal organ injuries, autopsy whether it was done, the cause of death, the place of death and the time of death were evaluated. Results: Among the 64 forensic death cases in pediatric age group, observed cause of death was determined to be traffic accidents in 35 (55%) cases. Male cases accounted 66%, and male to female ratio was 2:1. From the reports, 48.6% of the accidents happened in summer and most commonly sunday (22.9%). In 48% of accidents, the cause of death was head trauma. Moreover, it was determined that the most injured person was the pedestrian. Automobiles took the lead in the causes of the traffic accidents. Conclusion: Considering the increase of accidents in July and Sunday, when schools are holidays; It is important to review traffic education for children, increase traffic controls and be more careful about parents.