Epidemiology

In the US, the incidence of SCFE was 10.8 cases per 100,000 children per year during the period 1997-2000.[9] 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] However, other studies have reported increasing or stable rates.[11][12]​​​ 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]

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] Sex differences have also been noted, with rates for males higher than those for females.​[14][15] ​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]

Average age of onset has decreased in recent years.[5][16] Peak age of diagnosis is between 11 to 12 years for girls, and 12 to 13 years for boys.[14][16] Lower age at onset may, in part, be due to adolescence commencing earlier.

Childhood obesity correlates closely with increased incidence of SCFE.[11]​​[14][16][17]​​ ​​Epidemiological studies report lower age at diagnosis among children who are obese.[5][17][18]

The incidence of valgus SCFE is estimated to be at around 5% of SCFE cases.[3]

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