ABSTRACT
Background: Environmental conditions are effective on childhood
supracondylar humerus fractures. In this study, we
evaluated the relationship between weather conditions and these fractures. Materials and Methods: We started this
study following the approval of a non-interventional research ethics committee. Patients (<16 years) who applied to the hospital between January
2013 and July 2018 with supracondylar
humerus fractures were included in the study. The hospital’s PROBEL system was used to diagnose (International Classification
of the Diseases, ICD, S42.4) radiological images and patient information. Information
on the weather conditions in the day and time period, in which supracondylar humerus fracture occurred, was
obtained from TR (Turkey) Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General
Directorate of Meteorology. The relationship
between supracondylar fracture and daily weather conditions (wind, air temperature, cloudiness, and season) was analyzed. Results: Most of the
patients (n = 76, 40.6%, p < 0.05) were fractures occurring under
cloudless weather conditions. Fractures were concentrated with a second frequency in cloudy weather over 60%, except for cloudless weather conditions (n = 51, 27.3%,
p < 0.05). In the summer months when the air temperature was high,
the number of fractures was higher (n = 62, 33.2%, p < 0.05) and less in the
winter months (n = 24, 12.8%, p < 0.05). In hot weather conditions where the
daily average temperature was above 20°C, supracondylar humerus fractures were
observed more (n = 101, 54%) and less than 10°C (n = 43, 23%, p < 0.05).
Increased incidence of fractures was observed in the presence of wind (n = 4, 2.1%, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Supracondylar humerus fractures are common
in children. Environmental conditions (temperature, wind, and season) can
be effective in the occurrence of these fractures.