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Seasonal variation in paediatric orthopaedic trauma Patients - A single centre experience from Turkey
Anil Agar1, Adem Sahin1, Orhan Gunes1
1Department Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, 147006Saglik Bilimleri University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases increase in summer due to more outdoor activity. Hot weather correlates with higher trauma rates, while rainy weather shows a negative effect, highlighting the need for summer injury prevention.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Paediatric trauma care
- Environmental health impacts
Background:
- Paediatric orthopaedic trauma incidence typically rises during summer months, linked to increased physical activity.
- Understanding seasonal variations and environmental factors is crucial for effective trauma prevention strategies in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases at a single centre over three years.
- To investigate the relationship between trauma incidence, seasons, and temperature variations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 65,182 paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases (ages 0-16) from January 2018 to December 2020.
- Data classified by patient demographics, holidays, seasons, weekdays/weekends, and injury location.
Main Results:
- Hot weather showed a positive correlation with trauma attendance, while rainy weather had a negative effect (p < 0.05).
- Trauma rates were significantly higher in summer, excluding indoor-related injuries like metacarpal/phalanx fractures and pulled elbows (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Paediatric orthopaedic trauma incidence at a Level 1 trauma centre varies significantly with weather and peaks in summer.
- Increased focus on preventive measures during summer months is recommended for paediatric trauma.
Purpose:
It is known that the incidence of paediatric orthopaedic trauma peaks in the summer months as a result of increased and uncontrolled physical activity. The aim of this study was to review the experience of a single centre with paediatric orthopaedic traumas and determine the relationship between the severity and the variations in the incidence of traumas in relation to the seasons and temperatures during the study period.
Materials And Methods:
A single institutional review of the historical data of all patients aged 0-16 years who presented for orthopaedic trauma between January 2018 and December 2020 in the emergency department of Level 1 tertiary orthopaedic trauma centre was conducted. 65,182 paediatric orthopaedic trauma cases had been retrieved from the hospital data base during the 3 -year study period. We classified the traumas according to the variants of the patients' and by holidays, seasons, school days and weekends, months and in which part of the body it occurred.
Results:
After excluding the summer vacation, 77% of paediatric orthopaedic trauma patients attended to the hospital on weekdays and 23% on weekends. While it was observed that hot weather had a statistically positive effect on trauma attendance, rainy weather had an negative effect (p < 0.05). Trauma attendances were found to be statistically higher in summer months, except for injuries that may occur with indoor activities such as metacarpal fracture, phalanx fracture and pulled elbow (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Orthopaedic trauma at a Level 1 tertiary health care trauma center do vary significantly with the weather and are highest in the summer season. Therefore, it should focus more attention on preventive strategies for paediatric trauma in the summer season.
