Frena tears and abusive head injury: a cautionary tale
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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

System for Focal, Closed-System Central Nervous System Injury
Published on: November 29, 2024
1Department of Pediatrics, Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. thackerj@pediatrics.ohio-state.edu
Tears of the lingual and labial frena have been associated with accidental and nonaccidental injury. Three cases of infants are presented who were evaluated in the hospital with frena tears which were not recognized as manifestations of abuse, discharged home, and subsequently returned with manifestations of severe abusive head injury.
Tears of the lingual and labial frena have been associated with accidental and nonaccidental injury. Three cases of infants are presented who were evaluated in the hospital with frena tears which were not recognized as manifestations of abuse, discharged home, and subsequently returned with manifestations of severe abusive head injury.
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