Obesity Is Independently Associated with Early Loss of Reduction After Casting in Pediatric Both-Bone Forearm Fractures: A Cohort Study of Children Aged 3–13 Years


GÖKMEN M. Y., Yılmaz A., Varmış H. O., Pazarcı Ö.

Medicina (Lithuania), cilt.62, sa.3, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 62 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/medicina62030565
  • Dergi Adı: Medicina (Lithuania)
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: forearm injuries, orthopedic procedures, pediatric obesity, radius fractures, ulna fractures
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background and Objectives: Pediatric both-bone forearm fractures are commonly treated nonoperatively, yet early loss of reduction remains a clinically important problem. Childhood obesity may be associated with reduced early radiographic stability after closed reduction and casting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed, including children aged 3 to 13 years who presented between 2020 and 2023 with acute both-bone forearm fractures involving the radius and ulna. Patients were categorized as normal weight (BMI 5th–84th percentile) or obese (≥95th percentile); overweight children (85th–94th percentile) were excluded. Fracture morphology and level, initial management (operative vs. conservative), and early loss of reduction were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted within the conservative cohort to identify independent factors associated with loss of reduction. Results: A total of 895 patients were included (normal weight n = 633; obese n = 262). Obese children had a higher proportion of complete fractures than normal-weight children (82.4% vs. 61.9%, p < 0.001) and underwent operative management more frequently at index presentation (33.6% vs. 13.1%, p < 0.001). Among conservatively treated patients (n = 724), early loss of reduction occurred in 36 cases and was more common in obese than normal-weight children (13.2% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, obesity was independently associated with loss of reduction (aOR 5.98; 95% CI 2.89–12.38; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In children aged 3 to 13 years with both-bone forearm fractures treated with casting, obesity was independently associated with early loss of reduction. Weight status may serve as a practical clinical risk marker to support counseling and closer early radiographic surveillance during nonoperative care.