Hospitalized Swedish children with hand and forearm injuries: a retrospective review

Abstract

Aim: To analyse incidences and find risk groups in children hospitalized with hand injuries in a national retrospective study.

Methods: All children with a primary hand or forearm injury admitted to Swedish hospitals during 1987-2001 were retrieved from the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register and analysed as to incidence and characteristics.

Results: Among 9855 children included, the median age was 7.0 y and two-thirds were boys. The incidence increased in both younger (0-6 y) and older (7-14 y) children. Wounds and fractures almost doubled, while muscle/tendon injuries decreased. In younger children, wounds and burns were the most frequent diagnoses. In older children, fractures and muscle/tendon injuries were common. Sharp objects caused most of the injuries. University hospitals treated almost half of the children.

Conclusion: The number of children with hand injuries admitted to hospitals in Sweden increased annually. Analyses of causes behind the increase are important to counter this trend.