Decreasing incidence of fractures in children: an epidemiological analysis of 1,673 fractures in Malmö, Sweden, 1993-1994

Abstract

The incidence of fractures in children in the city of Malmö, Sweden, almost doubled between 1950 and 1979. To see whether a further increase had occurred, we carried out an epidemiological analysis of fractures among children 0-16 years in Malmö 1993-1994. During the study period, 1,673 fractures occurred in 1,610 children. The commonest fracture location was the distal forearm (26%), followed by the phalanges of the hand (16%) and the clavicle (9%). The annual fracture incidence was 235/10(4) in boys, 149/10(4) in girls and 193/10(4) for both genders. This means a decrease in the annual fracture incidence by 9% since 1975-1979. The decrease was not associated with any specific type of fracture or etiological factor. Fractures of the distal forearm among girls were an exception to the general decline, having increased by one third since 1975-1979, which might be explained by the fact that today girls participate to a greater extent in the same sports as boys.