Epidemiology of hand fractures in children - A population-based study with data from the Danish National Patient Registry

Introduction Hand fractures are among the most common pediatric injuries, but despite their prevalence, comprehensive data on incidence and anatomical distribution remain sparse. The aim of this study was to report the incidence and anatomical distribution of hand fractures in children aged 0–15 years. Methods This population-based register study utilized data from the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) over a 20-year period from 1999 to 2018. All cases of hand fractures were identified using ICD-10 codes and stratified by age, sex, anatomical site, and treatment type. Fracture incidences were calculated based on annual population data, gathered from Statistic Denmark. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and results presented in the form of number of cases and percentages. Results A total of 158,070 hand fractures were recorded, with an average annual incidence of 748 per 100,000 children/year and a 17% increase in incidence over the study period. Boys accounted for 59% of cases, and the highest incidence was observed in the 12–15-year age group (51%). Finger fractures were the most common (60%) followed by metacarpal fractures (19%). There were 1% that received surgical treatment. Conclusion We found a 17% increase in incidence over the 20-year period. The highest incidence was in the 12–15-year-olds. Boys had the majority of fractures, and finger fractures were most common. Future research should focus on refining diagnostic criteria, exploring injury mechanisms, and evaluating treatment outcomes to enhance prevention and care.