Whiplash Associated Disorders in Children Attending the Emergency Department

The literature on Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) relates almost exclusively to adults. The only study found on a paediatric population quotes an incidence rate of 29% (Hadfield, et al, 1998) in child passengers but it relied exclusively on telephone survey data. Given an increase in child passenger miles in urban areas in recent years (Road Accidents, 1987) the paucity of information is surprising. This one-year project was undertaken to determine the incidence, severity and clinical course of WAD in child passengers aged 4-16 following MVCs.