%0 Journal Article %T Hospitalized Swedish children with hand and forearm injuries: A retrospective review %J Acta paediatrica %D 2006 %A Ljungberg, Elinor %A Dahlin, Lars B. %A Granath, F. %A Blomqvist, Per %V 95 %N 1 %P 62-67 %X Aim: To analyse incidences and find risk groups in children hospitalized with hand injuries in a national retrospective study. Methods: All children with a primary hand or forearm injury admitted to Swedish hospitals during 1987-2001 were retrieved from the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register and analysed as to incidence and characteristics. Results: Among 9855 children included, the median age was 7.0 y and two-thirds were boys. The incidence increased in both younger (0-6 y) and older (7-14 y) children. Wounds and fractures almost doubled, while muscle/tendon injuries decreased. In younger children, wounds and burns were the most frequent diagnoses. In older children, fractures and muscle/tendon injuries were common. Sharp objects caused most of the injuries. University hospitals treated almost half of the children.Conclusion: The number of children with hand injuries admitted to hospitals in Sweden increased annually. Analyses of causes behind the increase are important to counter this trend. %G %I John Wiley and Sons %@ 0803-5253 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08035250500323764