Epidemiology of children's fractures.

Fractures constitute 10% to 25% of all pediatric injuries and are more common in boys than in girls, and after age 13 or 14 years are twice as common. The results from an epidemiologic study in Malmö indicate that a child's risk of sustaining a fracture is 42% in boys and 27% in girls from birth to age 16 years. Fractures of the distal end of the radius are the most common injury, followed by fractures of the phalanges of the hand. From 1950 to 1979 there was a twofold increase in the risk of fracture, due to an increase in light-energy trauma, mainly sporting activities. Since the end of the 1970s there has been no further increase in the fracture risk. The data also indicate that preventive measures have been effective in decreasing severe accidents.