Abstract

Aim: This retrospective multicentric study aims to determine the characteristics of childhood hand injuries and identify the clinical changes in hand dominance in different pediatric age groups.
Methods: Between June 2008 and June 2018, 697 cases of hand injuries in preschool children that resulted in sequelae in Central Anatolia were evaluated retrospectively. The demographic data of patients who came in for a checkup, the mechanism of occurrence of the injury that caused sequelae, and if accompanied by a fracture were analyzed using questionnaires that investigated the conditions of the patients and caregivers during the hospital and recovery periods. In addition, 12-year-olds or older who came in for their last check-up were evaluated using four parameters of the Jebsen–Taylor hand function test.
Results: One hundred thirteen of the 697 successfully contacted patients attended the last clinical check-up. The hand that had suffered trauma was nondominant in 63 (70.8%) of the 89 patients who were of school age and able to write when they attended the last check-up. Two or more fingers, except the thumb, were amputated at different levels in 49 patients. Two or more fingers, including the isolated thumb or thumb, were amputated at different levels in 17 patients.
Conclusion: This study focuses on the evolving pattern of hand dominance and the various types of hand injuries in pediatric age groups.

Key words: Preschool childhood; hand injury; characteristics