BACKGROUND: Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and the introduction of restrictive measures to prevent its spread, there has been a change in the organization and work of medical institutions. New rules for admitting patients with injuries, limiting hospitalization of planned patients, examining patients for coronavirus infection, examining parents of children with injuries, conducting remote consultations, and identifying areas without COVID-19 for repeated outpatient care have been introduced in trauma centers and hospitals. New conditions for the organization and functioning of outpatient and inpatient departments have had an impact on the picture of child trauma. AIM: This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the level and nature of musculoskeletal injuries in children who sought medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries that occurred during the same period of the previous year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis of the medical history data of 3820 patients aged 0 to 17 years, who were admitted to the City Center for Outpatient Surgery and Trauma of St. Petersburg St. Mary Magdalene Childrens City Hospital No. 2 during the period from March 16, 2020, to May 31, 2020, and for the same period in 2019. RESULTS: The number of initial visits with trauma in 2019 was 2851 patients, whereas during the same period in 2020, 969 patients came with trauma. In general, during the study period in 2020, the trauma rate decreased by 66% compared with the same period in 2019. Despite the general decrease in the level of injuries in the study period in 2020, in the injured structures of the musculoskeletal system, the proportion of limb fractures was 35% and exceeded the same indicator in 2019 (p = 0.004, 2 criterion). In 2020, the level of street injuries (p 0.0001) decreased by 83%, while there was a 61% increase in domestic injuries (p 0.0001) and a 47% increase in traffic injuries (p 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The relationship between the outbreak of a pandemic and a decrease in the number of visits to the trauma center of Childrens Hospital No. 2 was revealed and a change in the structure of injuries depending on their cause. This change may be associated with restrictive measures, the transfer to distance learning, the ban on organized sports events, and the reduced usage of playgrounds. This information can be useful for planning the work of health authorities and distributing resources during future pandemic situations.

Objective. To analyze statistical data on children with isolated spinal fractures and those combined with spinal cord injury, and to study the structure of injuries. Material and Methods. Data on the number of children from 55 regions of the Russian Federation were studied, and the structure of spinal fractures and spinal column injuries combined with injuries of spinal cord and its elements was analyzed. Results. The absolute number of spinal injuries varies between regions of the Russian Federation from 2075.20 ± 166.64 cases in the Novosibirsk region to the total absence of injuries in the Republic of Tyva. The average number of superficial injuries to the spine is 10.34 ± 11.55 cases, and of injuries of the spinal column-6.05 ± 5.51 cases per 10 thousand children. On the average, 4.30 ± 3.90 compression fractures, and 0.20 ± 0.20 unstable and complicated spinal column injuries per 10 thousand children are observed. Conclusion. On the territory of the Russian Federation, there is significant variation in the number of children with superficial injuries and spinal column injuries. The variety of data obtained indicates the difficulties in diagnosing and registration of patients with this type of traumatic injury.

Заключение. Положительные результаты были достигнуты в результате проведения комплекса мероприятий, среди которых выполнение требований Федерального закона «Об основных гарантиях прав ребенка в РФ» по улучшению ухода за ребенком и повышению его безопасности, а также расследование каждого случая причи-ненного насилия территориальными органами внутренних дел.Ключевые слова: дети, структура травмы вследствие физического насилия, динамика показателей.

The experience of the Turner Scientific and Research Institute for Children's Orthopedics in educational activities for improvement of the professional knowledge of pediatric physicians was represented. The target audience of the continuous medical education include traumatologists, pediatric surgeons, and doctors of related specialties of Russia that are involved in diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of children with injuries, congenital and acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Since 1986, the Institute has organized 28 all-Russian scientific and practical conferences on topical issues of traumatology and orthopedics of pediatric age in 22 different cities across the country. In the interest of the institute, the school of pediatric orthopedists is constantly working for district orthopedists of children's polyclinics of St. Petersburg, and regular monothematic seminars are performed with the participation of leading Russian experts and visiting lecturers from abroad. These scientific and practical activities improve the professional skills of doctors and help them improve the provision of specialized care to children.