Child abuse: review of the literature

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Child Abuse Research

Background:

• Non-accidental injuries are a significant cause of child morbidity and mortality.
• Fractures are the second most frequent clinical sign of child abuse.
• Femur fractures are present in over 60% of child abuse cases in children under three years old.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on child abuse in major databases.
• To report a rare case of bilateral subtrochanteric femur fractures and a unilateral humeral fracture in a 28-day-old newborn.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of child abuse in major medical databases.
• Case report of a newborn with complex skeletal trauma.

Main Results:

• Femur fractures are highly indicative of child abuse in young children.
• A rare case involving bilateral subtrochanteric femur fractures and a unilateral humeral fracture in a neonate is presented.

Conclusions:

• Early identification of child abuse is crucial for affected children.
• Orthopedic surgeons must maintain a high index of suspicion for child abuse when evaluating newborns with musculoskeletal injuries.
• A thorough physical examination and detailed clinical history are essential for diagnosing abuse-related injuries in newborns.