@article{ref1,
title="Orthopedic injuries and their treatment in children during earthquakes: a systematic review",
journal="Prehospital and disaster medicine",
year="2015",
author="Morelli, Ilaria and Sabbadini, Maria Grazia and Bortolin, Michelangelo",
volume="30",
number="5",
pages="478-485",
abstract="Orthopedic injuries commonly affect children during earthquakes, but reports about them are rare. This setting may lead to different standards of care, but guidelines are still missing in this field. A systematic review was performed to: (1) assess type and body distribution of pediatric earthquake-related injuries, treatment performed, length of stay, and complications; and (2) identify starting points to define standards of care. PubMed database was researched for papers (1999-2014 period) in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Inclusion criteria were: English, French, Spanish, or Italian language and data reported about orthopedic lesions in children (≤18 years old). Reviews, letters, commentaries, editorials, and single case reports were excluded. Two independent reviewers selected articles after abstract and full-text reading. Traumatic injuries caused child hospital admissions ranging from 46.9% to 100.0%; 16% to 53% suffered fractures. Lower limbs mostly were involved. Soft-tissue injuries affected 55% of patients. Debridement and external fixation (EF) were the most frequent surgical treatments. Amputation rates varied from 5% to 11%. This study revealed that field hospitals should be prepared to: (1) treat mainly lower extremities fractures in children; and (2) use especially EF techniques. The presence of orthopedic surgeons familiar with pediatric traumatology should be considered. Morelli I , Sabbadini MG , Bortolin M. Orthopedic injuries and their treatment in children during earthquakes: a systematic review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(5):1-8.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1049-023X",
doi="10.1017/S1049023X15004951",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X15004951"
}