With ATV injuries on the rise, WUSTL pediatricians aim to reduce traumatic accidents

Summertime marks the height of ATV season.Most parents would never consider letting their 6-year-old child ride on the back of a motorcycle, yet many adults don’t think twice about letting kids ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). “Parental supervision is a key element to childhood safety,” explains Dee Hodge III, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine specialist and associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “And when it comes to ATVs, parents literally hold the key to their child’s safety. Injuries and death caused by ATVs are a serious and increasing problem in the United States, and it is critical that all riders understand the importance of safe and responsible ATV use,” adds Hodge, who is also associate director of clinical affairs for emergency services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

WUSM pediatricians aim to reduce injuries from ATV accidents

Summertime marks the height of ATV season.Most parents would never consider letting their 6-year-old child ride on the back of a motorcycle, yet many adults don’t think twice about letting kids ride all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Injuries and death caused by ATVs are a serious and increasing problem in the United States, and it is critical that all riders understand the importance of safe and responsible ATV use, says Dee Hodge, pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
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