One-year prospective analysis of hand and forearm injuries in children

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Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological evaluation of acute pediatric hand injuries frequently encountered in emergency department units. Its secondary aim was to identify the risk factors associated with such injuries. Out of the 1547 acute hand and forearm injury cases admitted to emergency trauma department between March 2017 and March 2018, the 129 injuries pertaining to children were included in the study. Mechanism, time, etiology, injured structures, anatomical regions, cut structures, and occupational accident status were determined in addition to demographic information. The injuries were evaluated according to circadian rhythm in order to ascertain the hours of intensification. The Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS) was used to assess injury severity. The mean age of 129 patients was 10.1 years. The most injuries were observed in the groups of patients over 12 years of age (57, 44%), and 0–6 years of age (42, 32%), respectively. Nineteen students participating in vocational internships were injured (14%). Twenty-six cases (20%) in the 12-year-old group involved punching glass, and 34 (26%) cases in the 0–6 age groups involved fingertip crush injuries. Temporal injury intensity was seen to have increased between 12.00 and 19.00 hours. The mean MHISS was 41 (8–120). Injury prevention measures need to be increased, particularly for fingertip injuries. A specific injury severity assessment system is also required for pediatric hand injuries, which are often simpler and easier to treat than adult hand injuries. Additionally, training and increasing awareness are believed to be important steps in preventing pediatric hand injuries.

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