Does anyone know of rear-facing injuries?

Injury Analysis
This 16-month old, 12 kilogram (26.4 pound), 55 centimeter (21 inch) female was the right front passenger of a 1995 Chevrolet Geo Metro 4-door involved in a frontal collision. She was restrained in a forward-facing Gerber child safety seat which was anchored by the available 3-point lap/shoulder belt; in addition, her passenger airbag deployed. The child sustained major injuries in this collision and was transported to a local trauma center by helicopter. At the time of vehicle inspection, the front passenger seat was adjusted rearward of the center track position. The child was restrained in a safety seat that was appropriate for her age, weight, and height. However, the child should never have been seated in the front seat of the vehicle especially in the presence of an active airbag. All of the child's injuries resulted from contact with the airbag and the injuries sustained were likely much more severe than they would have been had the child been in the rear seat. Because the child safety seat was not available for inspection, it is impossible to determine whether it was installed correctly. According to the child's mother, the belt was routed through the proper path and the seat was secured to the vehicle. However, crash investigation identified a free sliding latchplate on the available lap and shoulder belt which requires the use of a locking clip in order to properly install a child safety seat. A locking clip was not used in this crash and this may have caused excessive forward movement of the safety seat potentially resulting in more forceful impact with the airbag.

Click to expand...

Injury Analysis
This 15-day old, 4 kilogram (9 pound), 51 centimeter (20 inch), male was the right rear occupant of a 1995 Geo Metro. The case occupant was restrained in an infant safety seat with a detachable base. The infant seat was secured to the vehicle in the rear-facing position with the available manual 3-point restraint which had a free-sliding latchplate. The child seat was installed incorrectly because a seatbelt with a free-sliding latchplate requires either the use of a locking clip or the placing the seatbelt in automatic locking retracting mode. The seatbelt used to install this particular safety seat was not placed in automatic locking mode nor was it used with a locking clip. The case vehicle exited the roadway, struck a tree, and rolled over approximately four times. At the scene, the child was found on the back seat of the vehicle, out of the safety seat. According to paramedics on the scene, the car seat was still buckled into the vehicle after the collision, but the seat was loose. They seemed to think that the baby probably remained in the infant seat until just before the vehicle finished its rotation. There was also a tire jack and 5-6 bricks in the back seat of the vehicle. There was no reported loss of consciousness at the scene. The baby was crying at the scene and was transported to a local trauma center. The child arrived at trauma center fully immobilized on a backboard. Physical examination revealed a contusion on the right upper chest, a small chin abrasion, and a left parieto-occipital contusion. There were fragments of glass found in the child's diaper. Radiological imaging studies of the head revealed a non-depressed upper parietal fracture and hematomas at the left frontal and parietal regions. There was also soft tissue swelling at the left parietal area. The child was admitted for further observation.

Click to expand...

CPSDarren said:

Presumably for older rear-facing kids, head excursion may become an issue.

Click to expand...

Rear-facing seats are already very safe when used correctly, so the addition of a tether may not make nearly as much improvement as with a front-facing seat.

Click to expand...