The impact of socioeconomic factors on the incidence of paediatric hand and forearm injuries in Sweden.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this registry-based cohort study was to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors on the incidence of paediatric hand and forearm injuries in Stockholm County, Sweden.

METHODS: Registry data from Region Stockholm's database was obtained for all children aged 0-18 years diagnosed with a hand or forearm injury between 2014 and 2019. The data included area of residence classified as low, average or high socioeconomic status, as well as age and type of injury. Incidence rate ratios were estimated using Poisson regression to compare incidence rates of all injuries and specific injury types across socioeconomic groups.

RESULTS: The yearly mean incidence rate for any hand or forearm injury in children aged 0-18 years during the period was 345 per 10,000 person-years, with the highest incidence observed in children living in areas with high socioeconomic status. When types of injuries were analysed separately, burns and crush injuries were most common among children aged 0-2 years living in areas with low socioeconomic status, whereas fractures, sprains and contusions were more frequent among children aged 11-14 years residing in areas with average or high socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSION: Adolescents in high and average socioeconomic areas show higher incidence rates of fractures, sprains and contusions, whereas the youngest children in low-socioeconomic areas remain more vulnerable to burns and crush injuries. These findings strengthen prior research demonstrating the association between area-level socioeconomic status and both injury incidence and type. Our results underscore the need for continued and enhanced prevention measures, particularly targeting the persistent risk of domestic injuries among the youngest children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.