New Hyde Park, New York-A recent study led by researchers at the Cohen Children's Medical Center showed that nearly two-thirds of children's spinal fractures in car accidents were caused by not wearing a seat belt.

Researchers used data from the National Trauma Database to study 34,563 pediatric patients who suffered spinal fractures between 2009 and 2014. Some of these patients had multiple spinal fractures, resulting in a total of 45,430 vertebral fractures.

Overall, adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 account for approximately 63% of spinal fractures-two-thirds of which occur in car accidents. Most motor vehicle collision fractures occurred in men (54.4%). Among the patients who were not restrained during the crash, 44.2% were teenagers.

After wearing a seat belt in a collision, the patient's risk of death is reduced by 21%, and the probability of multiple fractures and other injuries is also reduced.

Researchers said in a press release that measures to increase the use of seat belts by children and young people (especially young drivers) should be emphasized.

The research was published in the journal Spine.

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