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Obesity in Pediatric Trauma

Philip Ashley1, Shawn R Gilbert1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1600 7th Avenue South, Lowder 316, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.

The Orthopedic Clinics of North America
|June 23, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Obese children with high-energy injuries face more severe outcomes, including increased complications and mortality. This highlights obesity as a significant risk factor in pediatric trauma care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Obesity Medicine

Background:

  • Obesity is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
  • Obesity impacts bone health and fracture risk.
  • High-energy injuries in children require specialized care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of obesity on pediatric high-energy injuries.
  • To identify specific injury patterns and complications in obese children.
  • To assess the association between obesity and patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with high-energy injuries.
  • Comparison of outcomes between obese and non-obese children.
  • Data collection on injury severity, fracture types, complications, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Obese children sustained more severe injuries and extremity fractures.
  • Higher Injury Severity Scores were observed in obese pediatric patients.
  • Increased risk of complications, prolonged ventilation, ICU stay, and mortality in obese children.
  • Obesity linked to altered bone mass, higher fracture rates, and specific fracture patterns (forearm, supracondylar, lateral condyle, femur, foot/ankle).

Conclusions:

  • Obesity significantly worsens outcomes for children with high-energy injuries.
  • Obesity is associated with increased injury severity, complications, and mortality.
  • Healthcare providers should consider obesity as a critical factor in managing pediatric trauma.

Keywords:
FractureObesityPediatricTrauma

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