Pediatric Fractures in a Resource-Limited Setting: Patterns and Seasonal Trends from Southern Tanzania

Introduction: Pediatric bone fractures are a major cause of morbidity and hospital admissions worldwide, with patterns influenced by age, gender, mechanisms of injury, and environmental factors. In Tanzania, limited region-specific data exist, particularly for the Southern Highlands. This study focused on the patterns and epidemiology of pediatric bone fractures at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH) in 2024. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using hospital records of pediatric patients aged 0–18 years diagnosed with bone fractures at MZRH in 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, causes, fracture types, anatomical sites, and seasonal occurrence were extracted and analyzed using STATA version 15. Results A total of 138 pediatric fracture cases were reviewed. Males accounted for 66.7% of cases, with the highest proportion in the 10–11-year age group (46.4%). Falls (52.17%) were the leading cause of fractures, followed by sports injuries (24.64%). Upper limb fractures predominated, with the humerus (37.7%) and radius/ulna (25.4%) being the most commonly affected bones. Most fractures were closed injuries (80.4%), and supracondylar fractures accounted for 63.46% of humerus fractures. The majority of cases (86.96%) occurred during the school term, with a significant association between humeral fractures and school season (p = 0.023). Conclusion Pediatric fractures at MZRH are most common among boys aged 10–11 years, primarily caused by falls and sports-related injuries, with upper limb fractures predominating. The strong association with school term activity highlights the need for targeted injury prevention strategies in educational and community settings.