THE AETIOLOGY OF ACCIDENTAL LONG-BONE FRACTURES IN CHILDREN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS OLD: A RETROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRE STUDY

AimPaediatric fractures are common but those occurring in non-ambulant children are associated with higher rates of Non Accidental Injury (NAI). There is little published on the mechanisms of injury associated with accidental fracture in young children. This study explores the aetiology of long bone fractures in non-ambulant children.MethodsThis retrospective multicentre study looked at children aged ≤18 months presenting to three hospitals over 3 years (2009 to 2011). Information was gathered on age, gender, fracture type, injury mechanism, final diagnosis, treatment and details of screening for NAI.Results147 children were identified who were ≤18 months old (mean 12 months). There were 32 femoral, 37 tibial, 43 forearm, 17 humeral, 16 clavicular and 3 fibular fractures. We identified 6 confirmed cases of NAI and 7 pathological fractures (osteopenia of prematurity or osteogenesis imperfecta). 5/64 children aged ≤12 months old had NAI compared with 1/83 in those aged >12 months. All 7 pathological fractur...