Epidemiological investigation of traumatic upper extremity fractures in children who applied to emergency department

Abstract

Introduction: Serious and potentially fatal multi-trauma in childhood can rarely be seen. However, each one of 5 children is exposed to minor trauma. Our aim is to reveal upper extremity traumas, trauma mechanisms and seasonal relationship in children under 18 years of age. Methods: In this retrospective study, the files and graphs of 500 patients under 18 years old who applied to Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Medical Faculty Emergency Service after trauma were examined through Enlil and PACS system. 328 patients with upper extremity pathology were included in the study. These patients were analyzed according to different age groups (0-4,5-8,9-12,13-17). Results: 500 patients were screened and 328 patients (65.6%) with upper extremity trauma were included. 109 (33.23%) patients were female and 209 (66.77%) patients were male. The most frequent 0-4 year upper extremity traumas (n=39) in girls were found to decrease with age. In boys, it was found that the upper extremity traumas increased with age, the most common age was 13-17 (n=79). The distal radius fracture (n=64) and distal humerus fracture (n=61) were the most common in upper extremity traumas. The highest falling down in the etiology of 328 patients with upper extremity pathology (n=149, 45.43%) was detected. It was determined that traumatic upper extremity pathologies were followed most in summer (36.58%) followed by autumn, spring and winter respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: Two-thirds of children under 18 years old who applied for trauma were admitted due to upper extremity trauma. It was found that fracture of the distal radius (n=87) was the most (33.85%) when the isolated radius fractures, bilateral forearm fractures, and upper extremity multiple fractures were evaluated together in children.

Elbow Fracture in Children at Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Nine Years Experiences

“…From the distribution according to sex in previous study from Esen and Sapmaz and Anjum et al, male patients sustained more elbow fractures compared than female patients [5], [6]. This is in line with the result of our study in which the male patients dominantly suffered elbow fractures than the female patients while a retrospective study about pediatric elbow fractures conducted by Emery et al showed no differences in the demographic pattern of sex [7].…”