BACKGROUND: Pediatric forearm fractures result in substantial morbidity and costs. Despite the success of public health efforts in the prevention of other injuries, the incidence of pediatric forearm fractures is increasing. Our objective is to characterize the epidemiology of forearm fractures in Washington, DC, children evaluated in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS: This retrospective study includes Washington, DC, children, aged 0 years to 17 years, treated for an isolated forearm fracture in the Children's National Medical Center ED from 2003 to 2006. Patients with bone mineralization disorders and repeat ED visits for the same fracture event were excluded. Chart review was done to obtain demographic and clinical data. Descriptive epidemiologic and bivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: This preliminary analysis included 929 patients. The majority of patients are male (64%) and African American (80%). The mean age (± standard deviation) is 8.4 years (±3.9). Weight-for-age percentile was ≥95% in 24.1% of cases. Most forearm fractures occurred during the spring season. The most common mechanism of injury was fall-related (83%) whereas direct trauma caused 10% of fractures. "Fall from monkey bars" was the specific mechanism of injury in 17% of all cases. The majority of forearm fractures (58%) resulted from minor trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Falls from monkey bars and minor trauma are implicated in the majority of childhood forearm fractures. The prevention strategies should target playground safety. Further research is needed to evaluate factors, including obesity and bone health, which may contribute to forearm fracture risk associated with minor trauma.
BACKGROUND: Pediatric forearm fractures result in substantial morbidity and costs. Despite the success of public health efforts in the prevention of other injuries, the incidence of pediatric forearm fractures is increasing. Our objective is to characterize the epidemiology of forearm fractures in Washington, DC, children evaluated in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED). METHODS: This retrospective study includes Washington, DC, children, aged 0 years to 17 years, treated for an isolated forearm fracture in the Children's National Medical Center ED from 2003 to 2006. Patients with bone mineralization disorders and repeat ED visits for the same fracture event were excluded. Chart review was done to obtain demographic and clinical data. Descriptive epidemiologic and bivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: This preliminary analysis included 929 patients. The majority of patients are male (64%) and African American (80%). The mean age (± standard deviation) is 8.4 years (±3.9). Weight-for-age percentile was ≥95% in 24.1% of cases. Most forearm fractures occurred during the spring season. The most common mechanism of injury was fall-related (83%) whereas direct trauma caused 10% of fractures. "Fall from monkey bars" was the specific mechanism of injury in 17% of all cases. The majority of forearm fractures (58%) resulted from minor trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Falls from monkey bars and minor trauma are implicated in the majority of childhood forearm fractures. The prevention strategies should target playground safety. Further research is needed to evaluate factors, including obesity and bone health, which may contribute to forearm fracture risk associated with minor trauma.
Authors: Christina Salas; Justin A Brantley; James Clark; Mahmoud Reda Taha; Orrin B Myers; Deana Mercer Journal: J Hand Surg Am Date: 2018-02-06 Impact factor: 2.230
Authors: Eric D Fornari; Mike Suszter; Joanna Roocroft; Tracey Bastrom; Eric W Edmonds; John Schlechter Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 4.176
Authors: Leticia Manning Ryan; Stephen J Teach; Steven A Singer; Rachel Wood; Robert Freishtat; Joseph L Wright; Robert McCarter; Laura Tosi; James M Chamberlain Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2012-08-27 Impact factor: 7.124