Incidence of the musculoskeletal system diseases in children and the organization of specialized care in Saint Petersburg

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases, effects on the quality of life of children, and disability level are among the main medical and social problems. AIM: To assess the morbidity rates and provision of medical care to St. Petersburg children with musculoskeletal diseases between 2017 and 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on the incidence of musculoskeletal diseases in children of St. Petersburg were analyzed based on the Federal statistical observation forms submitted by the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution Medical Center for Information and Analysis, collections of N.N. Priorov National Medical Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation “Trauma, orthopedic morbidity, the state of trauma and orthopedic care for the population,” edited by Acad. S.P. Mironov, RAS, and data from the Federal State Statistics Service. RESULTS: In Saint Petersburg, the morbidity rate of musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases from 2017 to 2021 was 13%, excluding 2020, which was most likely due to the introduction of measures aimed at counteracting the spread of COVID-19 and the suspension of planned outpatient specialized care. The number of orthopedic beds for children decreased by 58, whereas the availability of beds for children remained at the same level and amounted to 4.3 beds per 10,000 children, which exceeded the indicator for the Russian Federation (1.0). The number of children with these disabilities increased 1.4-fold. Deaths of children due to musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases were recorded in 2019 and 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the 5-year observation period of musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases in children in St. Petersburg revealed increasing incidence because of the increase in the number of children newly diagnosed with these diseases.