In the US, the incidence of SCFE was 10.8 cases per 100,000 children per year during the period 1997-2000.[9]Lehmann CL, Arons RR, Loder RT, et al. The epidemiology of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: an update. J Pediatr Orthop. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):286-90.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16670536?tool=bestpractice.com
In Ontario, Canada, decreasing incidence of SFCE was reported over a 10 year period to 2011 (with an average annual incidence rate of 5.68 per 100,000).[10]Ravinsky R, Rofaiel J, Escott BG, et al. Epidemiology of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in Ontario, Canada. J Pediatr Orthop. 2019 Mar;39(3):e165-e167.
https://www.doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0000000000001254
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30199462?tool=bestpractice.com
However, other studies have reported increasing or stable rates.[11]Beharry AC, Quan Soon CH, Augustus M, et al. Increasing incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in Trinidad and Tobago: a 50-year review. Trop Doct. 2023 Jan;53(1):85-90.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00494755221130562
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36214270?tool=bestpractice.com
[12]Ripatti L, Kauko T, Kytö V, et al. The incidence and management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a population-based study. Acta Orthop Belg. 2023 Dec;89(4):634-8.
http://actaorthopaedica.be/assets/3421/ActaOrthopBelg-89-634.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38205753?tool=bestpractice.com
In the UK, an overall SCFE incidence of 3.34 per 100,000 children (aged 6-18 years) was reported from April 2016 to September 2017.[13]Perry DC, Arch B, Appelbe D, et al. The British Orthopaedic Surgery Surveillance study: slipped capital femoral epiphysis: the epidemiology and two-year outcomes from a prospective cohort in Great Britain. Bone Joint J. 2022 Apr;104-B(4):519-28.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9020520
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35360942?tool=bestpractice.com
The overall incidence is approximately 4 times higher in African-American children than in white children, and 2.5 times higher in Hispanic children compared with white children.[9]Lehmann CL, Arons RR, Loder RT, et al. The epidemiology of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: an update. J Pediatr Orthop. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):286-90.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16670536?tool=bestpractice.com
Sex differences have also been noted, with rates for males higher than those for females.[14]Perry DC, Metcalfe D, Costa ML, et al. A nationwide cohort study of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Arch Dis Child. 2017 Dec;102(12):1132-1136.
https://www.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2016-312328
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28663349?tool=bestpractice.com
[15]Kim NT, Min JJ, Ji E, et al. Epidemiology and demographics of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in South Korea: a nationwide cohort study. PLoS One. 2023;18(3):e0283123.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10065226
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37000819?tool=bestpractice.com
In the US, geographical region may be an epidemiological factor with higher reported incidence rates in the northeast and west than in the midwestern and southern regions of the US.[9]Lehmann CL, Arons RR, Loder RT, et al. The epidemiology of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: an update. J Pediatr Orthop. 2006 May-Jun;26(3):286-90.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16670536?tool=bestpractice.com
Average age of onset has decreased in recent years.[5]Loder RT, Aronson DD, Greenfield ML. The epidemiology of bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a study of children in Michigan. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1993 Aug;75(8):1141-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8354672?tool=bestpractice.com
[16]Murray AW, Wilson NI. Changing incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a relationship with obesity? J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008 Jan;90(1):92-4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18160507?tool=bestpractice.com
Peak age of diagnosis is between 11 to 12 years for girls, and 12 to 13 years for boys.[14]Perry DC, Metcalfe D, Costa ML, et al. A nationwide cohort study of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Arch Dis Child. 2017 Dec;102(12):1132-1136.
https://www.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2016-312328
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28663349?tool=bestpractice.com
[16]Murray AW, Wilson NI. Changing incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a relationship with obesity? J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008 Jan;90(1):92-4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18160507?tool=bestpractice.com
Lower age at onset may, in part, be due to adolescence commencing earlier.
Childhood obesity correlates closely with increased incidence of SCFE.[11]Beharry AC, Quan Soon CH, Augustus M, et al. Increasing incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in Trinidad and Tobago: a 50-year review. Trop Doct. 2023 Jan;53(1):85-90.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00494755221130562
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36214270?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Perry DC, Metcalfe D, Costa ML, et al. A nationwide cohort study of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Arch Dis Child. 2017 Dec;102(12):1132-1136.
https://www.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2016-312328
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28663349?tool=bestpractice.com
[16]Murray AW, Wilson NI. Changing incidence of slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a relationship with obesity? J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2008 Jan;90(1):92-4.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18160507?tool=bestpractice.com
[17]Perry DC, Metcalfe D, Lane S, et al. Childhood Obesity and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. Pediatrics. 2018 Nov;142(5):.
https://www.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1067
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30348751?tool=bestpractice.com
Epidemiological studies report lower age at diagnosis among children who are obese.[5]Loder RT, Aronson DD, Greenfield ML. The epidemiology of bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a study of children in Michigan. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1993 Aug;75(8):1141-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8354672?tool=bestpractice.com
[17]Perry DC, Metcalfe D, Lane S, et al. Childhood Obesity and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. Pediatrics. 2018 Nov;142(5):.
https://www.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-1067
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30348751?tool=bestpractice.com
[18]Loder RT. The demographics of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. An international multicenter study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996 Jan;(322):8-27.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8542716?tool=bestpractice.com
The incidence of valgus SCFE is estimated to be at around 5% of SCFE cases.[3]Shank CF, Thiel EJ, Klingele KE, et al. Valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis: prevalence, presentation, and treatment options. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010 Mar;30(2):140-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20179561?tool=bestpractice.com