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Published on: August 14, 2018
[HAND FRACTURES IN CHILDREN - CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF INJURY]
Insights
Pediatric hand fractures are common, often caused by direct blows during sports or recreation. Prevention efforts should target children aged 10-13, focusing on safer play environments.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Traumatology
Background:
- Hand fractures are frequent injuries in children due to daily activities and trauma.
- Direct blows are the most common mechanism leading to these fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology of pediatric hand fractures.
- To identify common injury mechanisms, locations, and age groups for targeted prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 274 pediatric hand fracture cases.
- Data collected from 2006 to 2014 at Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb.
Main Results:
- Phalangeal fractures (80%) were most common, followed by metacarpal (17%) and carpal (3%).
- Recreation (41%) and home (37%) were primary injury locations.
- Direct blows (76%) were the leading cause, with sports activities being a major contributor.
Conclusions:
- Hand fractures in children peak between ages 10-13.
- Sports and recreational activities are significant injury causes.
- Prevention strategies should focus on this age group and common injury settings like parks and schools.
Abstract:
Hand is extremely exposed to various loads and traumas of everyday tasks and activities, resulting in fist fractures being fairly common injuries. The most common mechanism of injury is a direct blow. This retrospective study analyzed the data on 274 children admitted for hand fractures at Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb in the period from 2006 to 2014. The study included 76 girls (28%) and 198 boys (72%). The average patient age was 11.9 years and most were between 10 and 13 years of age. Phalangeal fractures accounted for 80%, metacarpal fractures for 17%, and carpal fractures for 3% of all injuries. Most commonly injuries occurred during recreation (4 1%), at home (37%), at school (18%) and in the street (4%). Direct blow was the major cause of injury (76%), and 24% were caused by fall. Injuries during sport activities are the most common cause of the hand fractures in pediatric population and direct blow is the main mechanism of injury. The peak incidence is at the age of 10-13 years in boys and girls, so prevention should be aimed at this age group. Preventive actions should be focused on injuries that tend to occur in parks, schools and during sport activities.
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