Risks for, and causes of, injuries to the hand and forearm: a study in children 0 to 6 years old

Fingertip injuries are common in children, with varying degrees of severity. However, there is limited epidemiological information in the literature. An understanding of the characteristics of these injuries can be used as a basis to prevent such injuries. Epidemiological data was gathered through a retrospective review of all fingertip injuries affecting children, that presented to our department. There were 202 children with 234 injured fingertips in a period of 36 months. Most children were boys and most children injured their left hand. The mode age affected was 2 years. Accidental crush injuries in doors was the most common cause of fingertip injuries in children. An unexpectedly high number of children have fingertip injuries, with many requiring surgical treatment. Safety awareness and prevention of door crush injuries could reduce a large number of fingertip injuries in young children.

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“…1,13,[15][16][17] As expected, injuries from doors were the predominant the cause of hand injuries (Fig. 7).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Characteristics of Fingertip Injuries in Children in Singapore

2015

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“…Our idea is that if injuries are to be prevented, the injury mechanisms behind different common or severe diagnoses must be identified. With experience from our earlier studies [ 1 , 2 , 15 ], we have created seven case categories, typical for hand and forearm injuries in children. In this study we quantify how much these different cases cost in relation to each other.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost per case or total cost? The potential of prevention of hand injuries in young children – Retrospective and prospective studies

2008

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BackgroundHealth-care costs for hand and forearm injuries in young children are poorly documented. We examined costs in 533 children injured years 1996–2003.MethodsHealth-care costs and costs for lost productivity were retrospectively calculated in children from three catchment areas in Sweden. Seven case categories corresponding to alternative prevention strategies were constructed.ResultsOver time, diminishing number of ward days reduced the health-care cost per case. Among children, the cost of lost productivity due to parental leave was 14 percent of total cost. Fingertip injuries had low median costs but high total costs due to their frequency. Complex injuries by machine or rifle had high costs per case, and despite a low number of cases, total cost was high. Type of injury, surgery and physiotherapy sessions were associated with variations in health-care cost. Low age and ethnic background had a significant effect on number of ward days.ConclusionThe costs per hand injury for children were lower compared to adults due to both lower health-care costs and to the fact that parents had comparatively short periods of absence from work. Frequent simple fingertip injuries and rare complex injuries induce high costs for society. Such costs should be related to costs for prevention of these injuries.

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“…These former studies may serve as a basis for prevention. A detailed history of children with finger injuries, obtained by questionnaire, indicates that jamming in doors at home is a frequent hazard to fingers [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%