Jornal de Trauma e Tratamento

Distinguishing fractures from accidental and non-accidental injury in children

Abstract

Sheraz S Malik, Shahbaz S Malik, Peter Theobald and Mike D Jones

Long bone fractures in children can be due to accidental or nonaccidental injury. Fractures, along with soft tissue injuries, are the main physical signs of child abuse. The identification of non-accidental nature of fractures in children remains a major diagnostic challenge for clinicians [1]. The clinical situation is sensitive due to child protection issues and the impact of an incorrect judgement on the child and the family unit. Away from the clinical setting, the evidence for the judgement on child abuse must also withstand scrutiny in the court of law. There can also be waste of considerable resources in the investigation of a misjudged non-accidental injury. It is important to be aware of the variation in clinical traits of fractures from accidental and non-accidental injuries.