Seasonal Variation of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in the United States

Abstract

Seasonal variation in the onset of symptoms of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) has been described. The author examined seasonal variation of hospital admissions for SCFE using a national database and compared seasonal variation between the northern and southern United States, between girls and boys, and between black and white children. Significant seasonal variation was found in the North in both boys and girls, but there was less seasonal variation among blacks than among whites. Some seasonal variation was present in the South, but it did not reach the level of statistical significance. Although the cause of seasonal variation in SCFE remains unknown, the effect differs by latitude and skin pigmentation, suggesting a possible link to impaired vitamin D synthesis.