Limb Fracture Pattern in Different Pediatric Age Groups

Child injuries in Bergen, Norway

“…26,33,44,85,89,128 In a Swedish study from Malmø by Landin,8,682 fractures in children were reviewed by studying two populations 30 years apart to see if fracture patterns were changing. According to his data the accumulated fracture risk for a child up to the age of 16 was 42% for boys and 27% for girls.…”

“…85,89,97,171,187 Fractures which require in-patient hospital treatment mostly involve the distal forearm, followed by the supracondylar humerus, forearm shaft and tibial shaft. 26 Kopjar estimated that 72% of the child fractures resulted in activity restriction, with leg fractures accounting for 33% of all activity restricted days, although representing only 19% of cases. 85 This indicated that the total fracture incidence rate is a poor predictor of the amount of activity restriction.…”

“…26,85,89,97,171,187 Equally reported are also the changes in rates with age. The supracondylar fracture is most common in the first decade of life, with a peak at 7-8.…”

“…The supracondylar fracture is most common in the first decade of life, with a peak at 7-8. 26,68 Fractures of the femur are most common among the youngest children up to age 3, but the tibial bone is more often fractured than the femoral bone. In a US study, children under 10 had a greater number of long bone fractures, while older children suffered more vertebral fractures when falling from significant heights.…”

“…137 Fractures of the epiphyses are more common just before skeletal maturity. 26 Epihyseal fractures are thought to occur due to the greater difference in mechanical strength between the weaker epiphyseal cartilage and the stronger bone in adolescents. 175 …”