The Burden of Pediatric Musculoskeletal Diseases Worldwide.

Global burden of disease (GBD) refers to the economic and human costs resulting from poor health. The disability-adjusted life year is a measure of life lost from premature death and life not lived at 100% health. Surgery has long been neglected in the distribution of resources for global health. Because of years of life lived with a disability and the large proportion of children in a population, pediatric musculoskeletal conditions early in life can contribute to the GBD. Fortunately, the World Health Organization has recently promoted essential surgical services through its Emergency and Essential Surgical Care Project and Global Initiative.