Syndromes with musculoskeletal implications include those diagnoses that may result in or be associated with musculoskeletal problems or deformities. The most common syndromes with musculoskeletal implications include Marfan syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, Down syndrome, and neurofibromatosis. These patients may have musculoskeletal problems including scoliosis, pectus deformities, hip dysplasia, and flatfeet. Patients with neurofibromatosis may have congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. Many of these patients will require treatment for these musculoskeletal problems. Treatment, however, must be tailored to each individual patient as these syndromes often affect multiple body systems and require involvement of multiple medical disciplines.

Healthcare Utilization

Syndromes with musculoskeletal implications were diagnosed in 383,200 children and adolescent healthcare visits in 2013, of which 126,300 had a primary diagnosis of one of these conditions. About 1 in 10 (9%) children and adolescents with any syndrome with musculoskeletal implications diagnoses were hospitalized (29,800), but less than 1.2% (600) with a primary diagnosis of a syndrome with musculoskeletal implications had a hospital discharge. (Reference Table 7C.1.1 PDF CSV and Table 7C.1.2 PDF CSV)

Male were more likely than females to have a hospital discharge with any syndrome with musculoskeletal implications diagnoses as well as a primary diagnosis. Infants and young children under the age of 5 years had the highest rate of hospitalization for any diagnoses of syndromes with musculoskeletal implications. The number of hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis was too small for analysis by age.

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Any diagnoses of syndromes with musculoskeletal implications accounted for 5.4% of hospitalizations for any musculoskeletal condition diagnosis, and 0.4% of all hospitalizations for any healthcare condition. Hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis were 0.1% of all musculoskeletal diagnoses. (Reference Table 7C.6 PDF CSV)

Hospital Charges

Total charges averaged $78,500 for a mean 7.9-day stay when children and adolescents were hospitalized with a diagnosis of a syndrome with musculoskeletal implications condition along with other medical conditions. The number of hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of a syndrome with musculoskeletal implications was too small for analysis of hospital charges. (Reference Table 7C.6 PDF CSV)

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