Effect of Family Income Level on Pediatric Upper Extremity Fracture Rate

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of children with upper extremity fractures with those of children without upper extremity fractures. Materials and Methods: A total of 161 participants (age:11.24±2.95, female:53, male:108), 100 of whom were admitted to the orthopedics and traumatology clinic in 2022 with upper extremity fractures and 61 without upper extremity fractures, were included in the study. Participants; age, height, weight, mother's education level, mother's age, father's education level, father's age and monthly income of the family were recorded. Fracture and recurrent fracture rates of the participants who were members of a family whose monthly income was below the minimum wage and those who were included in a family with a monthly income above the minimum wage were compared. Results: The age, height and weight of the participants without upper extremity fractures were greater than those with upper extremity fractures (p<0.01). The body mass index of those with upper extremity fractures was lower than those without upper extremity fractures (p=0.001). While the number of upper extremity fractures in the participants who were members of families with a monthly income below the minimum wage was 79 (63.70%), the number of fractures in the participants who were members of families with an income above the minimum wage was 21 (56.80%) (p=0.44). In addition, when those with upper extremity fractures were evaluated independently from those without upper extremity fractures; While the number of recurrent upper extremity fractures was 7 (33.3%) in the participants who grew up in families with an income above the minimum wage, the number of recurrent upper extremity fractures was 11 (13.9%) in the participants who grew up in families with an income above the minimum wage (p= 0.04). Conclusion: Low body mass index may increase the rate of upper extremity fractures in children. For this reason, families should be informed about the possibility of physical development of children at risk for upper extremity fractures. In addition, the rate of recurrent upper extremity fractures is higher in children of families with a relatively high monthly income. Families with relatively high incomes should be made aware of the safety measures to be taken against accidents in their living spaces.