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. 2019 Nov;14(6):782-790.
doi: 10.1177/1558944718777865. Epub 2018 May 30.

Trends in Pediatric Traumatic Upper Extremity Amputations

Venus Vakhshori  1 , Gabriel J Bouz  1 , Cory K Mayfield  1 , Ram K Alluri  1 , Milan Stevanovic  1 , Alidad Ghiassi  1
Affiliations

Trends in Pediatric Traumatic Upper Extremity Amputations

Venus Vakhshori et al. Hand (N Y). 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Traumatic upper extremity amputation in a child can be a life-altering injury, yet little is known about the epidemiology or health care costs of these injuries. In this study, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), we assess these trends to learn about the risk factors and health care costs of these injuries. Methods: Using the HCUP KID from 1997 to 2012, patients aged 20 years old or younger with upper extremity traumatic amputations were identified. National estimates of incidence, demographics, costs, hospital factors, patient factors, and mechanisms of injury were assessed. Results: Between 1997 and 2012, 6130 cases of traumatic upper extremity amputation occurred in children. This resulted in a $166 million cost to the health care system. Males are 3.4 times more likely to be affected by amputation than females. The most common age group to suffer amputation is in older children, aged 15 to 19 years old. The frequency of amputation has declined 41% from 1997 to 2012. The overwhelming majority of amputations (92.54%) involved digits. Conclusions: Pediatric traumatic amputations of the upper extremity are a significant contribution to health care spending. Interventions and educational campaigns can be targeted based on national trends to prevent these costly injuries.

Keywords: adolescent; amputation; hand; pediatric; preventative; trauma; upper extremity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Admissions for upper extremity pediatric amputation per month, with contribution from firework and explosive injuries.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Pediatric amputations by age group per year.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Temporal trend in incidence of traumatic upper extremity amputation in children.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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