Distal forearm fractures in New Zealand children: annual rates in a geographically defined area

Abstract

Aims: To estimate the annual incidence of distal forearm fractures in New Zealand children and to describe circumstances associated with this fracture.

Methods: The ages and dates of fracture of all girls and boys aged three to fifteen years with distal forearm fractures treated at Fracture Clinic, Dunedin Public Hospital in one calendar year were recorded.

Results: The age-standardised annual incidence rates for Dunedin girls and boys aged three to fifteen years were 10.4 per 1000 (95% CI 8.3-12.4 per 1000), and 10.4 per 1000 (95% CI 8.3-12.6 per 1000), respectively. The peak incidence in girls was observed at ten years of age (23.5 fractures per 1000) and for boys at thirteen years of age (25.3 fractures per 1000). Extrapolation of these rates to all New Zealand suggest that in children aged three to fifteen years, 3659 (95% CI 2906-4413) distal forearm fractures occur per year in girls, and 3845 (95% CI 3087-4603) per year in boys, representing about 20 fractures per day. Many of the fractures for the girls and boys resulted from apparently slight trauma (62.2% and 61.6%, respectively).

Conclusions: Distal forearm fractures are very common events in New Zealand children and adolescents, and are usually caused by apparently slight trauma.