Jaw fractures in the county of Stockholm (1978-1980). Jaw fractures in children and adolescents.

Jaw fractures are less frequent in children than in adults. Very few studies exclusively on jaw fractures in children have been reported. From an investigation earlier published about jaw fractures in the country of Stockholm during the years 1978, 1979 and 1980 the authors have selected all cases of jaw fractures in children and adolescents below the age of 20. One hundred and seventy-one patients were studied, 128 boys and 43 girls. The ratio between boys and girls was 3:1. The material was separated into 4 age groups: 0-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16-20 years. Sixty percent of the fractures were found in the older age groups. The majority of the injuries (62%) occurred during the period May-September, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays, in the younger groups in day time, in the older group during the evening. Fractures due to falling and playing dominated in the younger age groups, but decreased with age. Even if all bicycle traffic accidents were excluded, this vehicle caused 31% of all play and sporting accidents. The relatively percentage of traffic accidents increased steadily from 17 to 42% in the age groups. In the oldest age group violence exceeded traffic as the dominating cause. Le Fort fractures were not found in the younger groups, were fractures of the mandibular condyle and maxillary alveolar process dominated. An erupted tooth in the fracture line was registered in 43% of the cases. Most patients received outpatient treatment.