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Fractures in childhood in Khartoum
B A Doumi1, M E Ahmed, R Hassan
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Insights
Childhood fractures occur daily, with higher incidence in boys over 5 and girls aged 6-8. Non-road accidents, like sports and falls, are the primary cause, highlighting the need for improved child safety measures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood fractures are a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pediatric fractures is crucial for prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, causes, and patterns of pediatric fractures.
- To identify risk factors and common injury sites in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 231 pediatric fracture cases over six months.
- Data collection on patient demographics, injury mechanisms, treatment, and fracture locations.
Main Results:
- Fracture incidence averaged one per day, increasing with age.
- Non-road traffic accidents (sports, falls) caused 84% of fractures.
- Distal forearm and humerus were most commonly affected long bones.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric fractures are frequent, often resulting from preventable accidents.
- Emphasis on child safety measures and targeted prevention strategies is essential.
- Further research into specific injury mechanisms and long-term outcomes is warranted.
Abstract:
A prospective study of fractures in 231 children received at Khartoum North Teaching Hospital(KNTH) was carried out for a period of six months. The incidence of child fracture rated as one per day, then it increased from the age of 5 years onwards in boys and between 6 and 8 years in girls. Most injuries were sustained during the day time, especially between late afternoon and sunset. 82% of injured children presented to a medical facility, while 18% were taken to native healers first. Non-road traffic accidents accounted for 84% of the fractures mainly due to sports, domestic injuries and falls; whereas road traffic accidents were 16% and occurred mainly in pedestrians. Forty three percent of the fractures needed only first aid and splintage while 42% needed closed reduction. Thirty one percent of all patients were treated as inpatients. The long bones were affected in 91% of all fractures, the commonest site being the distal end of the forearm (26%), followed by supracondylar fracture of the humerus (15.6%). In the upper limb, left-sided fractures predominated. The epiphyseal injuries were 3.5% of all fractures, mainly at the distal radial epiphysis. Boys were commonly affected between 13-15 years of age. Open fractures constituted 9.8% of the series and were mainly due to traffic accidents in town dwellers, the most vulnerable bones were those of the leg and foot. Pathological fractures accounted for 2.2% and were due to bone cysts and osteogenesis imperfecta. The problem of child safety and the preventive measures need to be more stressed.