Epidemiology of upper extremity musculoskeletal injuries in children

This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of upper extremity musculoskeletal injuries that require hospitalization in children and adolescents as a starting point for forming preventive recommendations and introduce measures to reduce morbidity and mortality. Materials and methods. This was a retrospective analysis of epidemiological data collected from 602 children treated at the Paediatric Surgery Department from 2019-2023 with upper extremity fractures or dislocations. Age, sex, incident circumstances, fracture type, and associated damage were evaluated. Results. Upper limb musculoskeletal injuries accounted for 16% of all hospital admissions due to injuries to different body parts. The median age of the participants was 9.6 years, ranging from 2 months to 17 years. The main causes of injuries were one-story falls (27%), second-story falls (21%), and traffic accidents (9%). The most common fractures involved the distal epiphysis of the radius and ulna (38.5%), the shafts of the bones of the forearm (26%), and the distal epiphysis of the humerus (15.6%). In the analyzed material, 38% of the children experienced fractures/dislocations at home and 31% experienced fractures/dislocations at school. 21% of fractures were sustained during sports activities. Conclusion. Upper limb fractures and dislocations are the leading causes of hospitalization in children and adolescents in the surgical department. Upper extremity fractures and dislocations predominantly occur at home, at school, and in their surroundings, especially during sports activities. A one-story fall is the most common cause of these injuries. In traffic accidents, pedestrians usually suffer more complex injuries. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The informed consent of the patients was obtained for the study. The authors declare no conflict of interest.