Demography and Function of Children with Limb Loss

Abstract

This retrospective study was designed for the period 1982-2002 to collect the basic data on the demography, level and side of the amputation, involved limbs, age, gender, and prosthetic functional level in children with limb loss. A total of 232 children were assessed through their prosthetic records. Seventy-two percent (195 children) presented lower-limb involvement, and 28% (77 children) had upper-limb loss. The age of the children varied between 1 and 15 years with a mean age of 9.90 +/- 2.32 years. Results of the study revealed that the leading amputation cause in children was congenital limb absence. The most frequent levels were determined as trans-tibial and trans-radial in lower and upper limbs, respectively. Findings showed that more boys (60%) were affected, and 84% of all amputations were found to be unilateral. It was also seen that right-side amputations (54%) were more common than left-side amputations (46%). The outcome of the study showed that 96% of children with lower-limb loss reached a functional gait pattern without any aids, while the percentage of independence in activities of daily living was found to be 88% in upper-limb loss.

Physical and Psychosocial Functions of Adults with Lower Limb Congenital Deficiencies and Amputations in Childhood

“…Congenital limb deficiency means that there is partial or total absence of the limb [ 1 ]. Regarding acquired limb amputations, the majority of them are due to trauma, mainly caused by power tools and machines, vehicular accidents, gunshot wounds, and explosions or electrical injuries [ 2 ]. More than 90% of traumatic amputations during childhood are unilateral and 60% occurred in the lower limb [ 2 ].…”

“…Regarding acquired limb amputations, the majority of them are due to trauma, mainly caused by power tools and machines, vehicular accidents, gunshot wounds, and explosions or electrical injuries [ 2 ]. More than 90% of traumatic amputations during childhood are unilateral and 60% occurred in the lower limb [ 2 ]. The third most frequent etiology is due to oncological tumours, followed by other diseases such as infection, vascular diseases, and neurological dysfunctions [ 3 – 5 ].…”

“…More than 90% of traumatic amputations during childhood are unilateral and 60% occurred in the lower limb [ 2 ]. The third most frequent etiology is due to oncological tumours, followed by other diseases such as infection, vascular diseases, and neurological dysfunctions [ 3 – 5 ]. Demographic studies have established the preponderance of the congenital limb deficiencies (approximately 60%) compared to acquired limb amputations [ 2 , 6 ].…”

“…The third most frequent etiology is due to oncological tumours, followed by other diseases such as infection, vascular diseases, and neurological dysfunctions [ 3 – 5 ]. Demographic studies have established the preponderance of the congenital limb deficiencies (approximately 60%) compared to acquired limb amputations [ 2 , 6 ]. The ratio of male children with limb deficiency is 3 : 2 compared to female [ 2 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…Demographic studies have established the preponderance of the congenital limb deficiencies (approximately 60%) compared to acquired limb amputations [ 2 , 6 ]. The ratio of male children with limb deficiency is 3 : 2 compared to female [ 2 , 6 , 7 ]. LLA and LLD patients during childhood will require a large number of prosthetic replacements.…”