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Evaluation of Pediatric Fractures at Autopsy

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Forensic Pathology of Infancy and Childhood

Abstract

Examination of the skeletal system of the deceased child, particularly in cases where physical abuse may have occurred, is a critical part of the postmortem examination. Since some injuries, particularly metaphyseal injuries, would not be discernible with a traditional autopsy approach, radiographic imaging of the deceased child is critical. The presence of healing fractures in the setting of fatal visceral trauma may distinguish a single acute event from a pattern of inflicted injury (“battered child syndrome”). Though many pathologists may have little experience handling or interpreting bony injuries, most bony findings are readily removed at autopsy and can be decalcified and subjected to histological evaluation with very little investment in special techniques or tools. Correlation of the radiographic, gross, and microscopic findings is invaluable to the radiologist, pediatrician, and pathologist alike.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, 530 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, USA

    Andrew M. Baker

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  1. Andrew M. Baker
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Correspondence to Andrew M. Baker .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Kim A. Collins

  2. University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Roger W. Byard

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Baker, A.M. (2014). Evaluation of Pediatric Fractures at Autopsy. In: Collins, K., Byard, R. (eds) Forensic Pathology of Infancy and Childhood. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-403-2_13

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