According to a new report, more than 19 million children and adolescents in the United States (US) received treatment in medical centers, private medical practices, and hospitals for musculoskeletal-related conditions or injuries in 2012 at a total cost of about $7.6 billion. The report also found that musculoskeletal conditions account for 5.4% of hospital charges in the pediatric population, but only 1.4% of pediatric research funding is dedicated to musculoskeletal research. The authors of the report note the costs are most likely underestimated and that further research is needed to determine better ways of tracking direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal conditions among children.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics, February 2018