RE: Abandonment of Children in Cars

["Neil Kaneshiro" <kneil2@xxxxxxxxx>]

Christine,

 

There are a number of issues with children left unsupervised in cars. The child could be taken from the vehicle. Vehicles have been stolen with children left inside by the parents for "just a few minutes". Health consequences  range from temperature extremes to potential carbon monoxide poisoning. The articles below detail the problems with overheating in an enclosed vehicle. We have had a child death in our area due to this type of negligence.

 

Neil Kaneshiro, MD

 

 J La State Med Soc 1995 Dec;147(12):545-6
                                                                                                 Related Articles, Books

 

                       Heat exposure in an enclosed automobile.

 

                       Gibbs LI, Lawrence DW, Kohn MA.

 

                       Disability Prevention/Injury Control Section, Office of Public Health, USA.

 

                       During July 1995, an infant in southeast Louisiana died as a result of heat exposure in an enclosed automobile. To evaluate
                       degree of heat exposure in a vehicle, we compared the temperature rise inside an enclosed, dark-colored vehicle with the
                       temperature rise in light-colored vehicle with the windows partly open. Within 20 minutes, readings in both cars exceeded
                       125 degrees F and reached approximately 140 degrees F in 40 minutes--a temperature rise of over 45 degrees F. A
                       person who is unable to remove himself from an enclosed vehicle is at risk for a life-threatening crisis if left alone in a
                       sun-exposed car for even a relatively short period of time.

 

 

 

Pediatrics 1981 Oct;68(4):579-82
                                                                                                 Related Articles, Books 

 

                       Heat stress in motor vehicles: a problem in infancy.

 

                       King K, Negus K, Vance JC.

 

                       Children have died from heat stress because they have been left in closed automobiles. Changes in the internal temperature
                       of various sized automobiles left in the Brisbane summer sun were examined. With all windows and doors closed, this
                       temperature rose from an ambient level of 36 C to a maximum of 67 C within 15 minutes and remained there until the
                       doors were opened. Slightly lower temperatures were found for light colored sedans and station wagons. However, all
                       readings were significantly above ambient and all produced an environment unacceptable for a child. Temperatures
                       approaching ambient were only achieved with ventilation provided by windows at least 200 mm (half) open. A lesser gap
                       (50 mm) resulted in interior temperatures exceeding 50 C, which is still too hot for children. Infants left in such an
                       environment will lose fluid quickly from sweat and could become as much as 8% dehydrated in four hours. Subsequently
                       the cerebral manifestations of heat stroke would ensue. Parents and pediatricians should be warned of the danger of heat
                       stress if children are left in a closed automobile. 

 

 

 

 -----Original Message-----
From: owner-CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Christine Walsh
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 6:09 AM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: Abandonment of Children in Cars

Is any one aware of literature regarding the health consequences of children being left unattended in cars.  Is there any information available on preventative measures that address this issue?

 

Christine Walsh
Canadian Centre for Studies of Children at Risk
Patterson Building
Chedoke-McMaster Hospitals
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada L8N 3Z5
Tel: (905) 521-2100 ext. 74357
Fax: (905) 574-6665
Email: walshc@xxxxxxxxxxx

>From ???@??? Wed Jun 27 10:34:47 2001
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From: "Neil Kaneshiro"
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: RE: Programs for 'acting out' young children in care
Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 21:51:25 -0700
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Adam,
I am the pediatric consultant for an organization that deals specifically
with behaviorally disturbed children on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
You can review their programs on the web.

www.seattlechildrenshome.org

Neil Kaneshiro, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@xxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Adam Tomison
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2001 11:03 PM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: Programs for 'acting out' young children in care


Dear colleagues,

While it is generally acknowledged that a significant proportion of
adolescents in the alternative care system 'act out' (ie substance
abuse, crime, running away, violence etc.) and may become very difficult
to manage, concerns are growing that similar problems are now being
observed in younger children (8-10 yrs) in the care system. Agencies
are reporting that growing numbers of these children are also
unmanageable and are not being adequately cared for/supported.

Is anyone familiar with material or programs that target this problem or
population.

Any assistance appreciated.

Cheers

Adam Tomison

_______________________________________
Dr Adam Tomison
Research Advisor & Senior Research Fellow
National Child Protection Clearinghouse
Australian Institute of Family Studies
300 Queen St
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
AUSTRALIA

Ph: +61 3 9214 7821
Fax: +61 3 9214 7839
Email: adamt@xxxxxxxxxxx
Internet: www.aifs.org.au
List owner: childprotect@xxxxxxxxxxx