Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 18 years in the United States. Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) contribute significantly to this category; of children 12 years or younger who died in an MVC, 38% were not appropriately secured in their vehicle. Car seats dramatically reduce the risk of injury in the event of an MVC and reduce the risk of death by 28%. Clinicians have a valuable role in ensuring that caregivers understand the importance of car seat safety for preventing injury, as demonstrated by evidence of the benefits of clinician counseling.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first recommended universal car seat use during infant travel in the 1970s. Since then, technological advances in car seat manufacturing and increased evidence have supported the lifesaving capacity of car safety restraints through childhood and adolescence. The current AAP policy statement recommends that any child younger...
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