The medical assessment of fractures in suspected child maltreatment: Infants and young children with skeletal injury

Date

2018

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Paediatrics & Child Health

Abstract

Fractures are common injuries in childhood. While most fractures are caused by accidental trauma, inflicted trauma (maltreatment) is a serious and potentially unrecognized cause of fractures, particularly in infants and young children. This practice point identifies the clinical features that prompt concern for inflicted skeletal injury and outlines a management approach based on current literature and published guidelines, including the clinician's duty to report suspicion of child abuse to child welfare authorities. This document does not address isolated skull fractures.

Description

Keywords

fractures, child abuse, skeletal injury

Citation

Chauvin-Kimoff, L., Allard-Dansereau, C., & Colbourne, M. (2018). The medical assessment of fractures in suspected child maltreatment: Infants and young children with skeletal injury. Paediatrics & Child Health, 23(2), 156-160.

DOI