Abstract
During the three and a half years from July 2006 to October 2009, we conducted statistical observation of traumas caused by bicycle accidents in children under 16 years of age at the Department of Oral Surgery in the Saitama Medical Center of Saitama Medical University. This report summarizes our study.
Twenty-nine (34.9%) of 83 cases of trauma incurred while riding a bicycle involved children under 16 years of age. The ratio of males to females was 13.5:1.
The highest incidence was among children nine years of age. The most common cause of injury was falling (n = 21)．The sites of oral injury were: teeth injuries (13 patients, 44.8%)，soft tissue injuries (4 patients, 13.8%)，both teeth fracture and soft tissue injuries (3 patients, 10.3%)，and a combination of alveolar bone fracture, teeth injuries, and soft tissue injuries (1 patient, 3.4%)．Of the 40 cases of teeth injuries, 28 (70%) were in the upper jaw and 12 (30%) were in the lower jaw.
The types of tooth injury were as follows: luxation of one tooth (4 patients, 13.8%)，luxation of two teeth (3 patients, 10.3%)，and fracture of one tooth (3 patients 10.3%)．Complications occurred in head injuries (n = 7) and limb injuries (n = 4)．Traumas occurred more frequently on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) than on weekdays. For the most part, these patients were admitted between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
