The epidemiology of fractures in infants--Which accidents are preventable?
Helmut Wegmann1, Ingrid Orendi1, Georg Singer1
1Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Insights
Infant fractures, particularly skull fractures, are often caused by falls at home from changing tables, caregiver arms, or beds. Prevention strategies should target these common accident scenarios to reduce infant injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Orthopedics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric fractures significantly impact healthcare systems.
- Understanding fracture epidemiology in infants is crucial for effective prevention.
- This study focuses on clinical and epidemiological data of infant fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe clinical and epidemiological data of fractures diagnosed in infants under one year of age.
- To identify common causes and mechanisms of infant fractures.
- To inform targeted prevention strategies for infant injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of infant fractures over an 11-year period (2001-2011).
- Data collected on fracture location, accident site, injury circumstances, and mechanisms.
- Inclusion criteria: children under 1 year of age with diagnosed fractures.
Main Results:
- 253 fractures in 248 infants (mean age 7 months); 61% were skull fractures.
- Most fractures occurred at home (67%), commonly from falls (37%) from changing tables, caregiver arms, or beds.
- Maltreatment accounted for 2% of cases (10 fractures).
Conclusions:
- Falls from changing tables, caregiver arms, and beds are primary causes of infant fractures, especially skull fractures.
- Prevention efforts and awareness campaigns should focus on these high-risk scenarios.
- Reducing these common accidents can significantly decrease fracture rates in infants.
Introduction:
In children, fractures have a huge impact on the health care system. In order to develop effective prevention strategies exact knowledge about the epidemiology of fractures is mandatory. This study aims to describe clinical and epidemiological data of fractures diagnosed in infants.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of all infants (children<1 year of age) presenting with fractures in an 11 years period (2001-2011) was performed. Information was obtained regarding the location of the fractures, sites of the accident, circumstances and mechanisms of injury and post-injury care.
Results:
248 infants (54% male, 46% female) with a mean age of 7 months presented with 253 fractures. In more than half of the cases skull fractures were diagnosed (n=151, 61%). Most frequently the accidents causing fractures happened at home (67%). Falls from the changing table, from the arm of the care-giver and out of bed were most commonly encountered (n=92, 37%). While the majority of skull fractures was caused from falls out of different heights, external impacts tended to lead to fractures of the extremities. 6 patients (2%) were victims of maltreatment and sustained 10 fractures (2 skull fractures, 4 proximal humeral fractures, 2 rib fractures, and 2 tibial fractures).
Conclusion:
Falls from the changing table, the arms of the caregivers and out of bed caused the majority of fractures (especially skull fracture) in infants. Therefore, awareness campaigns and prevention strategies should focus on these mechanisms of accident in order to decrease the rate of fractures in infants.
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