A New Look at the Incidence of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in New Mexico

Abstract

The incidence of SCFE has increased dramatically in New Mexico since Kelsey's epidemiological study in 1970. Obesity is a patient factor that has changed over this same period. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data for 2003/2004, the rates of obesity have tripled since 1971. In New Mexico, 25% of high-school children are estimated to be overweight. However, according to a recent study examining a national database (compiled from 27 states), the national incidence of SCFE remained fairly constant at 10.8 per 100,000.Interestingly, as more patients are seen at a tertiary center for children's orthopaedics, the rate of diagnosis in New Mexico has risen to resemble national trends. In the 1960, that center was located in a remote site and did not provide acute care for children's musculoskeletal issues. Increased obesity in children and improved access to pediatric orthopaedic evaluation may have contributed to a significant increase in reported incidence of SCFE in New Mexico.