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Hand injuries in young children
E Ljungberg1, H E Rosberg, L B Dahlin
1Department of Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Malmö, Sweden. elliljungberg@hotmail.com
Insights
Hand injuries in young children are rising, with boys most affected. Fingertip injuries are common, often from door jams, while fractures result from falls and punches.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric trauma
- Hand surgery
- Public health
Background:
- Hand injuries represent a significant cause of morbidity in young children.
- Understanding injury patterns and trends is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, causes, and types of hand injuries in children aged 0-6 years.
- To identify trends in pediatric hand injuries over a five-year period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 455 young children (0-6 years) treated for hand injuries between 1996 and 2000.
- Data collection included patient demographics, injury type, cause, and mechanism.
Main Results:
- The incidence of hand injuries increased significantly from 20.4 to 45.3 per 10,000 children annually.
- Boys sustained injuries more frequently (61%). Fingertip injuries (37%) were most common, often from door jams.
- Fractures resulted from falls/punches, while sharp objects caused tendon/nerve injuries.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric hand injuries show an increasing trend, necessitating targeted prevention efforts.
- While complex injuries are rare, they consume significant resources.
- Injury patterns vary by mechanism, with home-related incidents being prevalent.
Abstract:
Four hundred and fifty five young children (0-6 years old) were treated for hand injuries between 1996 and 2000. Boys (61%) were injured more often and a higher number of injuries occurred during May and September. Fingertip injuries were the most common injuries (37%), and were often caused by jamming in doors at home. Fractures were caused by falls and punches and tendon/nerve injuries by sharp objects. The incidence of hand injuries increased from 20.4/10,000/year in 1996 to 45.3/10,000/year in 2000. Only 4% of the children had complex injuries but these placed a high demand on resources. The incidence of injuries was not higher amongst children from immigrant families.