Citation

Sawyer JR, Flynn JM, Dormans JP, Catalano J, Drummond DS. J. Pediatr. Orthop. 2000; 20(2): 197.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for children and young adults. When all causes of trauma are considered, falls are the most common mechanism of injury. To address specifically age-related fracture patterns in children who fall, we identified 125 consecutive patients, 21 years old or younger, who fell from a height of 10 feet or greater. The medical records and radiographs for 110 of these patients were available for review. Patients were divided into three groups based on age: there were 25 infant/toddlers (0-2 years), 55 children (3-10 years), and 30 adolescent/young adults (11-21 years). We found statistically significant differences in fracture distribution between the groups. The adolescent/young adult group sustained a greater number of vertebral fractures (p < 0.003) and total fractures per fall (p < 0.015). The children, in contrast, had a greater number of long bone fractures (p < 0.05). Knowledge of age-related fracture patterns could result in improved diagnosis and treatment of these injuries.

Keywords: Window falls

Language: en