The aim of this study was to assess predictive factors for delayed healing in forearm paediatric fractures. This is a case-control study of all paediatric shaft fractures of forearm presenting delayed union in follow-up period of 12 months or more, from 2003 through 2009, treated in Miguel Servet University Hospital. Exclusion criteria were fracture-dislocations, infection, suboptimal osteosynthesis, greenstick, open, pathologic and associated radial head fractures, as well as patients without stablished period of follow up. Statistical assessment included bivariant and multivariant linear regression analysis. Results: During the study period 441 complete both-bone forearm fractures were treated: 14 of them (3.2%) were identified as suffering delayed union; and 63 controls fulfilling inclusion criteria were randomly selected. Bivariant analysis showed significant differences between "delayed union" and "control" groups in age, need of surgical treatment, open versus closed reduction and mean time to hardware removal. However, open reduction of the fracture, more frequent in the "delayed union" group, was the only variable which remained associated in the multivariant analysis. Conclusions: The strongest predictor of union delay in paediatric forearm fractures is open reduction.

The aim of this study was to assess predictive factors for delayed healing in forearm paediatric fractures. This is a case-control study of all paediatric shaft fractures of forearm presenting delayed union in follow-up period of 12 months or more, from 2003 through 2009, treated in Miguel Servet University Hospital. Exclusion criteria were fracture-dislocations, infection, suboptimal osteosynthesis, greenstick, open, pathologic and associated radial head fractures, as well as patients without stablished period of follow up. Statistical assessment included bivariant and multivariant linear regression analysis. Results: During the study period 441 complete both-bone forearm fractures were treated: 14 of them (3.2%) were identified as suffering delayed union; and 63 controls fulfilling inclusion criteria were randomly selected. Bivariant analysis showed significant differences between "delayed union" and "control" groups in age, need of surgical treatment, open versus closed reduction and mean time to hardware removal. However, open reduction of the fracture, more frequent in the "delayed union" group, was the only variable which remained associated in the multivariant analysis. Conclusions: The strongest predictor of union delay in paediatric forearm fractures is open reduction.