Obstructive intestinal herniation due to improper use of a seat belt: a case report.

The term "seat belt syndrome" has been used to describe injuries to the abdominal viscera caused by seat belts during car accidents. These injuries are usually sustained as a result of the rapid deceleration that occurs in front-end collisions, with the consequent compression of the abdominal viscera. The spectrum of injuries includes intestinal perforation or stenosis, mesenteric disruption, and lumbar fracture-dislocation. We present an uncommon case of obstructive herniation in a 2-year-old girl which we believe was due to improper use of a seat belt.