[Pediatric finger and hand injuries : An epidemiological study]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• The hand is the second most frequently injured body region in children.
• Understanding age-related injury patterns is crucial for effective pediatric trauma care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate age-related injury patterns in pediatric hand trauma.
• To analyze trauma mechanisms and surgical treatment needs in children with hand injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 2823 pediatric patients (under 18) with hand/finger trauma.
• Data collected from January 2008 to December 2014 at Frankfurt University Hospital.
• Injuries analyzed by age groups (0-3, 4-7, 8-12, 13-17 years), mechanism, pattern, and surgical necessity.

Main Results:

• 60.4% of injuries were on fingers, 39.6% on the hand.
• Major injuries (fractures, dislocations, amputations, nerve/tendon injuries) occurred in 24.9% of patients.
• Sports (24.2%), crushing (17.9%), and falls (14.7%) were common mechanisms for major injuries.
• 15.5% of patients required surgical treatment.

Conclusions:

• While most pediatric hand injuries are minor (75%), a significant portion (25%) are major.
• Fractures are the most common major hand and finger injuries in children.
• 15.5% of pediatric hand trauma cases necessitate surgical intervention.