Incidence of spine-related diagnoses in Danish children: a nationwide registry-based study of hospital data

This study investigated the annual incidence rates of spine-related hospital diagnoses in Danish children aged 0–17 years from 2009 to 2021. It aimed to assess trends stratified by diagnostic groups, hospital departments, and residential regions. A nationwide register-based cohort study was conducted using data from the Danish National Patient Register and census data. Spine-related diagnoses were identified through International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) codes and categorized into five groups: critical, whiplash, radiating, structural, and regional. Incidence rates (IR) per 100,000 children were calculated and stratified by diagnostic group, hospital department, and region. Temporal trends were visualized using descriptive statistics. The study identified 43,073 children with 78,304 spine-related diagnoses. The median age was 13 years with interquartile range of 5.3, and 55% were female. IRs remained stable over the 13-year period. Whiplash and structural diagnoses decreased after 2015, while regional diagnoses increased until stabilizing in 2019. Regional disparities were noted, with the capital region having higher IRs than other regions. Most diagnoses were managed within orthopedic departments. Conclusion: This study highlights stable IRs of pediatric spine–related diagnoses despite significant changes in diagnostic practices, reflecting a potential shift toward a biopsychosocial approach in hospital care. Regional disparities and variability in diagnostic coding practices emphasize the need for standardized protocols and equitable care pathways. Further research could validate coding practices, investigate care trajectories, and explore long-term outcomes to optimize pediatric spine care. [table presented]