Traumatic hand amputations among children in Greece: epidemiology and prevention potential

Abstract

The majority of paediatric hand and finger amputations could be prevented in Greece, particularly among preschoolers, by a single product modification, namely door closure systems, coupled with improved supervision. Paediatricians should incorporate this advice into their routine child-safety counselling. This country-specific profile supports the need for maintaining similar databases as an indispensable tool for assisting decision-making and preventing disabling and costly injuries.

Characteristics of Fingertip Injuries in Children in Singapore

“…1,13,[15][16][17] As expected, injuries from doors were the predominant the cause of hand injuries (Fig. 7).…”

Acidentes Domiciliares Por Forças Mecânicas Inanimadas Em Crianças, Adolescentes E Jovens

“…1 Other studies have also evidenced a greater occurrence of accidents resulting from inanimate mechanical forces in the male sex. 1,5,7,10 One study undertaken in Ontario, Canada, with children aged from 6 to 11 years old, observed that the boys are significantly more involved in risky activities than are girls, 12 as the boys present more impulsive behaviors, allied with the cultural fact that the parents and guardians restrict the boys' behavior less in comparison with the girls, who are supervised more, in spite of the boys' activities and games being judged as of greater risk for accidents. [12][13] The greater incidence of accidents resulting from inanimate mechanical forces among children aged from one to four years old is corroborated by other cases.…”

“…14 In relation to the immediate physical sequelae, one study undertaken in Greece on traumatic amputations in children below 14 years of age observed that accidents with children involving doors and gates are the main causes of amputations in phalanxes, causing disabilities in individuals who are in a phase of learning and development, impairing the control and execution of fine movements. 5 It is necessary to highlight that such sequelae can be avoided through the use of 'door stopper' finger guards, are placed on the door and stop the same from closing suddenly. 5 In spite of there being few cases of inpatient treatment, one can infer through the considerable number of referrals, the need for specialized attendance and the increase in costs to the health sector, it being the case that the admissions resulting from accidental causes in the emergency services have caused a sharp increase in hospital costs.…”

“…5 It is necessary to highlight that such sequelae can be avoided through the use of 'door stopper' finger guards, are placed on the door and stop the same from closing suddenly. 5 In spite of there being few cases of inpatient treatment, one can infer through the considerable number of referrals, the need for specialized attendance and the increase in costs to the health sector, it being the case that the admissions resulting from accidental causes in the emergency services have caused a sharp increase in hospital costs.…”

“…4 These accidents are responsible for a great demand for attendance to children, adolescents and young people in the urgent and emergency services, with the most frequent being the introduction of a foreign body into natural orifices, objects, furniture and structures falling upon the victim, crushing of upper limbs in gates and doors, accidents provoked by glass, knives, tools (either manual or motorized), crushing between objects and furniture, and accidents with domestic devices such as washing machines, televisions and mixers, among others. [5][6][7][8] According to data from the Ministry of Health, in the period of one year (February 2015 to January 2016) in the services of the Unified Health System (SUS) alone, 12,788 incidents of inpatient treatment caused by accidents through exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (ICD-10: W20 to W49) were recorded in the population aged from 0 to 24 years old, representing a cost of R$ 11,500,452.32 for the government, and a mortality rate of 1.49/ thousand inhabitants, there being a total of 190 deaths. 9 Regarding the state of Mato Grosso (MT), the data referenced to the same period and to the same age range evidenced 325 incidents of inpatient treatment in the SUS caused by accidents by inanimate mechanical forces, corresponding to a cost of R$266,774.10.…”