dilemma of jumping syndrome

ABSTRACT

A retrospective review of 25 patients of Jumping Syndrome is presented. These females were admitted to King Fahd University Hospital, AI-Khobar between Ist January 1990 and 31st December 1992. The minimum age was 21 years and the maximum 40 years with a mean of 29.7 years. Thirteen of the 25 were Indonesian, 8 Sri Lankans and the remaining 4 Filipino nationals. they sustained 48 fractures and 1 dislocation the breakdown of which is; thoracolumbar spine 22, calcaneum 11, femur 3, tibia and fibula 3, radius and ulna 3, patella 2, pelvis 2, humerus 1, metatarsals 1 and 1 dislocated elbow respectively. Thirteen patients [52%] needed surgical intervention. the minimum hospital stay was 13 days and maximum 135 days with a mean of 56 days. There appears to be a rise in deliberate self harm and the new trend is by jumping from a height. This is causing a great socio-economic, medical care concern. We believe that our society as a whole must recognise this issue and attempts should be made to solve it sooner than later