Pediatric Elbow Fractures in a Major Trauma Center in Iran

BACKGROUND Elbow fractures are one of the most common traumatic fractures in the pediatric population. Since severe complications may occur, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are imperative when dealing with this type of fracture. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of elbow fracture in children admitted in Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, IR Iran over a one year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS During a one year period, a prospective study was conducted on 300 patients under the age of 16 who had sustained elbow fractures. Data included age, gender, mechanism of trauma, type of elbow fractures, complications, and outcomes. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 8.1 ± 2.31 years old. Boys were injured 2.6 times more often than the girls. Falling was the major cause of pediatric elbow fractures (86%). Supra condylar were the most common type of fracture. There was a significant association between gender and type of injury (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Supracondylar fracture is the most common fracture type resulting from 4 - 8 year old boys' falls. Our findings indicate the critical nature of appropriate treatment in order to prevent severe complications.