CHILD ROAD TRAFFIC INJURIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON CHILD MORTALITY

Child road traffic injuries in Ukraine show an alarming upward trend under martial law conditions. According to the Patrol Police Department, in the first four months of 2024, 956 road accidents involving children with casualties were recorded, which is 22.4% higher than at the same period of 2023. The number of accidents caused by children themselves increased 1.4 times compared to the last year and tripled compared to pre-war 2021. This significant increase in child road traffic injuries poses a serious public health challenge, particularly given the additional strains on healthcare systems during wartime. The aim of the study: to perform a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics and structure of child road traffic injuries in Ukraine under martial law conditions, identify key regional trends and characteristics of injuries across different age groups of children for developing effective preventive measures. Statistical data on road accidents involving children from January-April 2021-2024 were analyzed. Data sources included the Patrol Police Department, reports from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and UNICEF, and data from the 2024 annual report of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination. Methods of descriptive statistics, comparative and regional analysis were applied. The study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess the multifaceted nature of child road traffic injuries, including demographic factors, geographical distribution, and injury patterns. Regional distribution analysis revealed the highest concentration of road accidents in western regions of Ukraine, which is associated with a significant increase in internally displaced persons. The structure of accident causes is dominated by exceeding safe speed (38.8%) and violation of maneuvering rules (22.2%). By geographical distribution, this ranking is led by Dnipropetrovsk (637 cases), Lviv (586 cases) regions, and Kyiv city (534 cases). Analysis of injury types in forensic examinations of this type of trauma established the predominance of traumatic brain injuries (72%) in the structure of fatal road accident outcomes, especially when using electric personal mobility devices. Using a protective helmet can reduce the risk of severe traumatic brain injury at 63-88%. Characteristic features of injuries in different age groups were identified: children aged 4-6 years predominantly suffer head and cervical spine injuries from falls, while the 14-18 age group experiences injuries from collisions with cars. A steady trend toward worsening the situation with child road traffic injuries in Ukraine in 2024 has been established. Statistical data show a significant increase in the number of road accidents involving children compared to previous years, especially in the country's western regions. Significant regional differences in child injury rates have been identified. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures, particularly in areas with high concentrations of internally displaced persons. The study highlights the importance of age-specific prevention strategies and the critical role of protective equipment in reducing injury severity.