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Observational Study
. 2019 Apr;101(4):297-303.
doi: 10.1308/rcsann.2019.0023. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Trends in paediatric distal radius fractures: an eight-year review from a large UK trauma unit

N Mamoowala  1 , N A Johnson  1 , J J Dias  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Trends in paediatric distal radius fractures: an eight-year review from a large UK trauma unit

N Mamoowala et al. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: This observational study investigated the incidence of distal radius fractures in children, to determine whether the rate is rising, the effect of seasonal variation on incidence and whether fracture type and rate of surgical intervention has changed, to help in determining costs for secondary care and to aid resource allocation.

Materials and methods: All paediatric patients(n = 6529) who sustained a distal radius fracture over an eight-year period (2007-2014) were identified. Poisson regression modelling was used to identify change in trends.

Results: There was no change in distal radius fracture incidence, rate of surgical intervention (P = 0.36) or fracture type (P = 0.70). Overall incidence was 337 fractures per 100,000 patient/years. The highest fracture incidence was seen in older school boys (708 per 100,000 patient/years, P < 0.005). Overall fracture rate was lower in winter (P < 0.005). Incidence is highest in summer and the main variation is related to season.

Discussion: These data can help to predict accurately the number of children presenting to the emergency department with wrist fractures depending on the time of year.

Keywords: Distal radius fracture; Epidemiology; Fracture; Paediatric; Wrist fracture.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Incidence rate (100,000 children per year) by age group and gender per year.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Incidence rate (100,000 children per year) by age group per season.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Incidence rate (100,000 children per year) by age group per day of the week.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mean age at fracture, with 95% confidence intervals, for all patients (a), boys (b) and girls (c) for each year of the study period.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Location where injury took place by age group (RTA, road traffic accident).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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