Epidemiological Characteristics of Pediatric Supracondylar of Humerus Fractures in a Tertiary Hospital in Iran

Abstract

Objectives: Supracondylar humerus fracture (SHF) is the most common fracture observed in children. The present study aimed to assess the characteristic parameters in one of the most extensive available pediatric SHF series referred to a tertiary hospital in Iran.

Methods: The medical profiles of the SHF patients who were referred to our tertiary hospital between January 2017 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria entailed age < 14 years and a radiographically confirmed diagnosis of SHF. The collected data included age, gender, side of injury, mechanism of injury, season of the injury, concurrent complications, type of fracture, and treatment.

Results: A total of 1,309 patients with a mean age of 7.7±2.7 years were included in this study. The incidence of SHF was 1.8-fold higher in males, while the mean age of incidence was significantly lower in female patients (7.2 vs. 8 years; P<0.001). Falling was the most frequent mechanism of injury (97%). Gartland type I was the most prevalent type of injury (n=482; 36.8%). Moreover, the majority of fractures were extension-type (n=1,249; 95.4%). Most patients were managed conservatively (n=785; 60%). Concurrent fractures as well as neuralgic, vascular, and muscular complications were present in 3%, 1.45%, 1.22%, and 0.5% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, SHF is prevalent among the Iranian pediatric population. Therefore, greater awareness is required regarding the high incidence of this fracture in this population and its adequate management with respect to concurrent complications, particularly neurovascular compromise.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Iran; Pediatrics; Supracondylar humerus fracture.