The point prevalence of paediatric upper limb fractures and their effect on the quality of life of children in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The incidence of upper limb fractures in the paediatric population is high. However, research investigating the point prevalence of ULFs and the effect of ULFs on HRQOL in children living in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa is limited. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to A) Establish the baseline demographics of children with simple upper limb fractures in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. B) Investigate the point prevalence of simple upper-limb fractures in children living in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. C) Comparison of the body mass index of children sustaining simple upper limb fractures with statistical body mass index values of children according to the WHO. D) Investigate the health-related quality of life of children with simple upper limb fractures during the cast-immobilization stage of ULF recovery. Methods: The method for Part A had hospital patient files reviewed between January 2019 and August 2023. Data was captured using RedCap and STATA (Stata Corp., USA). It focused on point prevalence of paediatric simple ULFs and baseline demographics. Part B participants meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled. Their height and weight were recorded, and the PedsQL was administered. Results and Discussion: The results indicated the most injuries in the six to 12-year age group. Findings highlighted that the males had an increased risk of fractures. Supracondylar fractures are most common and due to falls that occurred in the home. Immobilization was the most common form of intervention. Hospital file discrepancies limited data retrieval. The PedsQL scores averaged low in all four sections. However, physical and emotional functioning had the lowest scores. Furthermore, it was identified that paediatric patients with ULFs generally did not receive physiotherapy rehabilitation to assess their physical functioning. Conclusion: In this study, the demographics and point prevalence of ULFs was established. Findings identified a low HRQoL. This emphasises the need for early v physiotherapy intervention and referral pathways in children with ULFs presenting with low HRQOL in the physical functioning category.