Radiographic evaluation of Baumann angle in Chinese children and its clinical relevance

Normal Baumann angles in 98 children aged 2 to 13 years and abnormal Baumann angles in 71 children with supracondylar humeral fractures were evaluated. In healthy children, Baumann angles ranged from 64 degrees to 80 degrees (72.4 degrees +/- 4.6 degrees) in boys and from 65 degrees to 81 degrees (72.9 degrees +/- 5.9 degrees) in girls. A significant negative relation (P < 0.01) between Baumann angle and carrying angle was noted, but there were no significant differences in Baumann angles between boys and girls (P > 0.05) and no significant correlation of Baumann angle with increasing age (P > 0.05). In patients with fractures, the Baumann angle measured after immediate reduction correlated well with the carrying angle measured after union or at final follow-up (P < 0.01). This angle measured after reduction may be used to predict the final carrying angle so that cubitus varus deformity can be effectively prevented.