Liječnički vjesnik, Vol. 141 No. 1-2, 2019.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.26800/LV-141-1-2-2
Forearm fractures in Zagreb children
Anko Antabak
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Kristina Bračić
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Klara Karlo
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Krešimir Bulić
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Dino Papeš
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Goran Augustin
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Stanko Ćavar
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Tomislav Luetić
; Klinika za kirurgiju Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, KBC Zagreb
Abstract
Forearm fractures are the most common fractures of childhood. Fall on the extended arm is the main
mechanism of injury. High incidence and possible poor outcomes of treatment justify the questioning of preventative
measures in the occurrence of these injuries. The aim of this paper is to investigate the sites and ways of
forearm fracture of in a group of Zagreb children. This retrospective study included 395 children from the city of
Zagreb who were hospitalized in the UHC Zagreb from January 1, 2014 to October 19, 2017. The examined group
included 265 boys (67.1%) and 130 girls (32.9%). The average life expectancy was 9.1 years. Girls were on average
16 months younger than boys . The highest number of children was 175 (44.3%) in the age group 5-9 years..
One hundred and four (26%) children had fractures of only the distal part of the radius, 104 (26%) of the distal
part of both forearm bones, and 94 (23.6%) diaphyseal fracture of both bones . The leading cause of fractures in
our children group was fall (248 - 62.8%). Transport caused 61 (15.4%), and blow 86 (21.8%) fractures in the
group of our children. There were eight (2%) fractures on the roads, 25 (6.3%) at home, 37 (9.3%) at school, and
271 (68.7%) in extracurricular activities and leisure time. Out of these, there were 69 fractures on the playground
or in the park (26.2%), 54 (13.7%) in bike ride , and 46 (11.7%) during football. Of the 69 children who had
forearm fracture on the playground or in the park, 39 (56.5%) suffered a break on a swing, toboggan and trampoline.
Boys often fall, almost three times more on same level, and twice more from low hight than girls. Girls are
more often injured by falling from the bike. In conclusion, boys are more often at risk, and the dominant mode of
injury is falling. Mostly, they are children of pre-school and early school age. Special community engagement
should focus on these children during their recreational and sporting activities (cycling and football). In Zagreb,
children’s play areas and parks are the most common places of forearm fracture occurrence.
Keywords
FOREARM INJURIES – epidemiology, etiology; RADIUS FRACTURES – epidemiology, etiology; ULNA FRACTURES – epidemiology, etiology; ACCIDENTAL FALLS – statistics and numerical data; ATHLETIC INJURIES – epidemiology; ACCIDENT PREVENTION; CHILD; CROATIA – epidemiology
Hrčak ID:
218751
URI
Publication date:
15.4.2019.
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