Fracture patterns in children and young adults who fall from significant heights

J Pediatr Orthop. 2000 Mar-Apr;20(2):197-202.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / classification*
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Male
  • Multiple Trauma / classification*
  • Multiple Trauma / epidemiology*
  • Philadelphia / epidemiology
  • Probability
  • Registries
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Urban Population