Clinical and sociodemographic characterization of the child and youth population between 2 and 17 years with a diagnosis of acquired or congenital upper limbs deficiency at Instituto Teletón Santiago

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital and acquired deficiencies of the upper extremities are an important condition in the pediatric population, however, there is almost no information regarding the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and those associated with the use of prostheses. Objective: Describe the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of the child and adolescent population between 2 and 17 years old with a diagnosis of acquired and/or congenital upper limb deficiency, belonging to the Instituto Teletón Santiago (IT-S). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in child and adolescent population between 2 and 17 years old, with a diagnosis of acquired and/ or congenital upper limb deficiency treated in the IT-S. A review of clinical records and a survey were carried out to obtain data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and characteristics associated with the use of prostheses. Results: 215 patients were included, 93.9% of congenital and 6.1% of acquired etiology. The most common level of deficiency was partial hand with 51.6%, followed by transradial with 33.1%. 33% of the 215 patients included had a prescription for a prosthesis. 78.9% of the patients with a prosthesis prescription had a mechanical prosthesis and 18.3% had a 3D prosthesis. 53.5% used their prosthesis and 46.4% did not use it. 84.6% of the patients with 3D prostheses did not use them and an 83.3% of the patients with a partial hand level deficiency did not use their prosthesis. Conclusion: This study provides data of clinical importance, highlighting an early-onset prosthetic prescription associated with the clinical characteristics of the patients. Likewise, there is a high rate of non-use of 3D prostheses at the partial hand level.