The following is a summary of the systematic review findings up to the date of our most recent literature search. If you have a specific clinical case, we strongly recommend you read all of the relevant references as cited and look for additional material published outside our search dates.
- Of 490 studies reviewed, four studies described fractures to hands and feet 1-4
- Age range: 2 months – 10 years
- Case report: six month old with fractures of second to fifth metatarsals bilaterally, and associated fractures of radius and ulna 1
- 22 fractures of the hands and feet in 11 abused infants 2
- Torus fractures predominated
- 7/11 infants had additional fractures of the ipsilateral extremity
- There was no significant difference in the rate of hand or feet fractures between abused and control children less than four years of age 3
- Rao describes multiple bilateral phalangeal fractures of different ages thought to be secondary to hyper-extension 4
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References
- Jaffe AC, Lasser DH. Multiple metatarsal fractures in child abuse. Pediatrics. 1977;60(4 Pt 2):642-643 [Pubmed citation only]
- Nimkin K, Spevak MR, Kleinman PK. Fractures of the hands and feet in child abuse: imaging and pathological features. Radiology. 1997;203(1):233-236 [Pubmed]
- Pandya NK, Baldwin K, Wolfgruber H, Christian CW, Drummond DS, Hosalkar HS. Child abuse and orthopaedic injury patterns: analysis at a level I pediatric trauma center. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 2009;29(6):618-625 [Pubmed]
- Rao KS, Hyde I. Digital lesions in non-accidental injuries to children. British Journal of Radiology. 1984;57(675):259-260 [Pubmed citation only]