Obese Children More Likely to Have Complex Supracondylar Humeral Fractures

Among pediatric patients operatively treated for supracondylar humeral fractures, investigators discovered obese patients were nine times more likely to have complex fractures, were 13 times more likely to sustain these fractures by falling on an outstretched hand and were four times more likely to have postoperative complications than normal-weight patients.

“Obesity is associated with more complex supracondylar humeral fractures, preoperative and postoperative nerve palsies, and postoperative complications,” Mark A. Seeley, M.D., and colleagues wrote in their study, which appeared in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. “To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the implications of obesity on supracondylar humeral fracture complexity and associated injuries and it validates public health efforts in combating childhood obesity.”

The investigators reviewed the records of 354 patients between the ages of 2 years and 11 years who underwent surgery on extension-type supracondylar humeral fractures during a 12.5-year period. Of this group, 68 patients were considered obese. The investigators found that of the 149 patients diagnosed with isolated type 2 fractures, 11 patients were obese. Of the 205 patients who had complex fractures, defined as type 3 fractures, fractures with intercondylar extension or those with ipsilateral upper-extremity fractures, 57 patients were obese.

“These findings show that children diagnosed with obesity are more likely to sustain these complex fractures from something as simple as falling onto an outstretched hand while standing, and these types of falls are quite common,” Michelle S. Caird, M.D., a co-author of the study stated in a press release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Our research aims to remind parents that there are many serious risks to childhood obesity, including fractures and surgical complications. It’s important to ensure that children get the proper amount of exercise and to build their bone banks early in life to a strong and healthy frame.”