National rates of pediatric extremity fractures over a 20-year timespan in Denmark: a population-based descriptive cohort study

TL;DR

This study analyzed 20 years of pediatric extremity fracture data in Denmark to understand trends and healthcare implications.

Contribution

The study provides a national, population-based analysis of pediatric extremity fracture rates over two decades in Denmark.

Findings

The overall incidence rate of pediatric extremity fractures was 3,164 per 100,000 persons/year.

Fracture incidence increased with age and was higher in boys.

Incidence rates increased over time for most anatomical regions except upper and lower leg.

Abstract

Previous reports on incidences rates of Scandinavian pediatric extremity fractures have varied, as they are often anatomically specific and based on institution-specific findings. To gain knowledge of current and future burden on the healthcare system, a national cohort assessment is necessary. We aimed to assess the proportion and incidence within anatomical distributions of pediatric extremity fractures in relation to age, sex, and time trends.

We retrieved a 20-year population-based cohort from the Danish National Patient Registry 1999–2018. We included all children aged 0–15 years with an extremity fracture diagnosis (ICD-10). We estimated fracture proportions and incidence rates (IRs) in different anatomical regions stratified by sex, age groups, and periods. IRs were estimated based on national population counts.

We included 668,595 pediatric fractures corresponding to an overall IR of 3,164 (95% confidence interval 3,157–3,172) per 100,000 persons/year. The highest proportion and IR were in the lower arm, but the proportions differed within the age groups. The IR increased with age and was higher in boys. The overall IR increased during the study period. In upper and lower leg fractures a decrease was seen, with all other anatomical sites increasing.

We found an increased IR during the study period for all fractures except for the upper and lower leg. The study gives important knowledge to the healthcare system when coordinating the right resources.

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