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Child Abuse

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Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship

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Abstract

Child abuse is a clinical diagnosis made on the basis of the history and physical exam. Laboratory values and radiographic findings can be adjuncts in making a diagnosis. Though there are no fractures that are pathognomonic for child abuse, there are fracture patterns that have high specificity for abuse, including multiple fractures in various stages of healing, long bone fractures in nonambulatory children, and metaphyseal corner fractures. The differential for child abuse includes birth trauma, Caffey’s disease, and metabolic bone diseases such as rickets and osteogenesis imperfect. Fractures that occur as a result of abuse can usually be treated nonoperatively. Reporting of suspected child abuse is mandated for physicians. A multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and reporting can be useful.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Nebraska, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Omaha, NE, USA

    Susan A. Scherl MD

Authors
  1. Susan A. Scherl MD
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Correspondence to Susan A. Scherl MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Adam E. M. Eltorai

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Craig P. Eberson

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Alan H. Daniels

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Scherl, S.A. (2017). Child Abuse. In: Eltorai, A., Eberson, C., Daniels, A. (eds) Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_117

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_117

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52565-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52567-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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