Analysis of the cause, classification, and associated injuries of 166 consecutive pediatric pelvic fractures.
Pediatric pelvic fractures are serious injuries. Anatomical differences exist between pediatric and adult populations, leading to different causes and rates of death, fracture patterns, and associated injuries. This study is the largest consecutive series of pediatric pelvic fractures from one institution emphasizing the unique aspects seen in pediatrics. One hundred sixty-six children were included. Plain radiography and computed tomography scans were used to classify pelvic fractures. Multisystem injuries occurred in 60%, and 50% sustained additional skeletal injuries. The death rate was 3.6%. Head and/or visceral injuries were the causes of all deaths. Life-threatening hemorrhage did not occur. Urethral injury was not seen as often as in adults. Anterior ring fractures were the most common type, dominated by pedestrian versus motor vehicle trauma. Anatomical differences and mechanism of injury may play a role in these contrasting findings.
Silber
J S
JS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. jeffsilber2000@yahoo.com
Flynn
J M
JM
Koffler
K M
KM
Dormans
J P
JP
Drummond
D S
DS
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015984:Causality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000145:classification* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014193:Trauma Centers