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7542344 
Journal Article 
FRACTURE OF THE HUMERUS IN CHILDREN – CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF INJURY 
Antabak, A; Andabak, M; Barišić, B; Papeš, B; Romić, I; Fuchs, N; Luetić, T 
2016 
1 
Lijecnicki Vjesnik
ISSN: 0024-3477
EISSN: 1330-4917 
138 
3-4 
74-78 
English 
30146852 
Due to hyperactivity, children are often exposed to injuries of the upper arm and fractures of the humerus can leave permanent damage even after the surgical treatment. The high incidence of fractures justifi es questioning the possible prevention of this injury. Preventive actions are possible only with the knowledge of the causes and circumstances of the fracture. Aim is to analyze the circumstances of the injury, critical places and activities engaged in at the time of the humeral fracture by age groups. The paper analyzed 102 children that were treated at the University Hospital Centre in Zagreb due to fractures of the humerus in the period from 2010 to 2014. In this study, we analyzed 45 girls (44%) and 57 boys (56%). The average age of children was 8.3 years. Fractures of the distal third of the humerus accounted for 4/5 of all analyzed fractures. The right hand was affected more frequently. Nearly 80% of fractures were unstable, which generally require surgical treatment. The injury occurred most often among the 5-9 year-olds. Most injuries took place at the recreational facilities (47%), followed by injuries at home (31%), on streets or roads (15%) and at school or kindergarten (7%). Mechanism of the injury was mainly a fall onto the arm (94%) and the rest of the injuries were due to a direct blow. Almost half of the children got injured in sports or recreational activities. Due to close physical contact and engagement in games, children in preschool and early school age are by far the most susceptible to injuries. To reduce the incidence of such injuries, preventive actions should be taken during daily activities under the supervision of parents towards the most vulnerable age group (5-9 years), along with increasing the supervision in preschools and schools. Of all the activities, the most dangerous to cause fractures of the humerus occur in sports grounds and recreational facilities of preschool children and children in the lower grades of elementary school.