PATTERN OF SKELETAL INJURIES IN CHILDREN

Objectives: To study the pattern of skeletal injuries in children foll owing trauma and to suggest possible preventive strategies. Design: Th e record of children between 1 and 15 years, admitted during a period of 5 years with clinical and radiological evidence of fractures or dis location was studied. Results: The commonest age of children most at r isk was between 3 to 10 years (67.5%). Dislocations were relatively un common (2%). Extremity injuries (99.6%) were more frequent than axial skeletal injuries (0.4%). Radius and ulna (26%) in the upper limb whil e femur (25%) in the lower limb were the most commonly fractured bones . Among the causes; playground injuries accounted for the skeletal inj uries in 63.3% of cases followed by road traffic accidents in 34.2% an d domiciliary injuries in 2.5% of cases. Inverventions: The authors su ggest certain measures to minimize the risk of road traffic accidents and stress strict surveillance and enforcement of penalties for traffi c infringements and the need for better design standards of playground s. Main outcome measure: Prior to the implementation of protective mea sures there is a need for teaching traffic rules and safety measures a t school through audiovisual programs. Health and safety education sho uld be part of the school curriculum. Conclusion: Accidents in general and road traffic accidents in particular are highlighted as important health problems in Saudi Arabia.