Childhood Limb Fracture at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Childhood injury is a major public health problem worldwide. The burden is greatest in low- middle income countries. There is limited data on patterns of childhood fractures in Ethiopia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern of childhood fractures and dislocations presented at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.
Methods: The data was retrieved retrospectively from the hospital record books and charts of all children aged 0-13 years, presented at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital emergency department with limb fractures or dislocations between September 2011 to September 2012.
Results: A total of 325 cases with limb fractures and /or dislocations were analyzed. The majority were males 254(78.2%). Most common age group involved were 6 -13 years of age. Fall down accident accounts the largest proportion, 236(72.6%) followed by road traffic injury, 57(17.5%). Upper limb fractures were more common than lower limb fractures. The most common fractured bone was humerus followed by radius and ulna. More than ninety percent of cases were closed fracture.
Conclusion: Pediatric limb fractures resulting from fall and road traffic injuries are a major public health problem in our setting. Urgent preventive measures targeting at reducing the occurrence of accidental fall and traffic injury is necessary to reduce the incidence of pediatric limb fractures. Further large scale studies are necessary to know the final outcome of treatment given.