Soft Tissue and Bony Injuries in Children

Author: Chris Fitzsimmons / Editor: Maya K Naravi / Reviewer: Alan Mackay, Emma Everitt / Codes:A6, CC6 / Published: 10/01/2022

Description:

Paediatric injuries can be very different from those sustained in adults in many respects. This session discusses why this is the case and outlines the general principles of treating paediatric injuries. A factor to always be aware of is the possibility of non-accidental injury (NAI) as a cause of the presentation of a child with an injury or fracture. Important features of NAI will be briefly discussed.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Recognise the key differences between children and adults in terms of skeletal anatomy and physiology
  • Relate the reasons for different patterns of injuries in the two groups to the differences in skeletal anatomy and physiology
  • Formulate a differential diagnosis in childhood injuries after a reasonable clinical assessment
  • Identify the potential pitfalls in children’s trauma (including non accidental injury) and the mechanisms for avoiding them

References:

  1. Jenabzadeh AR, Haddad FS. Principles of paediatric injuries. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2006 Nov;67(11):M202-3.
  2. Currey JD, Butler G. The mechanical properties of bone tissue in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1975 Sep;57(6):810-4. PMID: 1158919.
  3. Salter RB, Harris WR. Injuries involving epiphyseal plates. J Bone Joint Surg Am; 1963; 45:587-622.
  4. Landin LA. Fracture patterns in children. Analysis of 8,682 fractures with special reference to incidence, etiology and secular changes in a Swedish urban population 1950-1979. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl. 1983;202:1-109.
  5. Libetta C, Burke D, Brennan P, Yassa J. Validation of the Ottawa ankle rules in children. Emergency Medicine Journal; 1999; 16(5)242-4.
  6. Beaty JH. Orthopaedic aspects of child abuse. Curr Opin Pediatr 9; 1997; 1003.

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