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CLINICAL IMAGES

 

 

Non-accidental injury - 'the silent pandemic'

 

 

Xolisa Mgele

 

 

An 11-month-old child, brought to hospital by his 16-year-old mother, had allegedly fallen from a bed while unsupervised. He had multiple traumatic skin lesions (Fig. 1) and radiographs revealed multiple fractures (Figs 2 - 4). Retinoscopy and a computed tomography scan of the brain revealed no haemorrhages. The fractures were managed according to standard orthopaedic protocols and social workers were consulted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion

Non-accidental injury (NAI) manifests in many forms and accounts for more than 50 000 deaths annually worldwide.¹ The Red Cross Children's Hospital's 5% NAI rate² is comparable to international statistics (7%).³ In up to 10% of cases the central nervous system is involved, and about 8% have skeletal injuries.³ Potential risk factors for NAI³ are age younger than 3 years (55% younger than 1 year), poor socio-economic status and unplanned pregnancy.

There is no pathognomonic fracture pattern in abuse, but multiple metaphyseal fractures are highly suggestive. The differential diagnosis includes osteogenesis imperfecta, metabolic disorders and accidental injury.^2,4

Not all infants with fractures are investigated, raising the question, how often does this silent pandemic go unnoticed?

These vulnerable, voiceless children are at risk of repeated abuse or death.⁴ Multidisciplinary management is mandatory.

 

1. Rohrer T. Clinical assessment of suspected child physical abuse. Radiologe 2009; 49(10): 926-931.         [ Links ]

2. van As AB, Garach SR. Femur fractures in infants. S Afr Med J 2008; 98(1): 23-24.         [ Links ]

3. Fong CM, Cheung HM, Lau PY. Fractures associated with non-accidental injury - an orthopaedic perspective in a local regional hospital. Hong Kong Med J 2005; 11(6): 445-451.         [ Links ]

4. Kocher MS, Kasser JR. Orthopaedic aspects of child abuse. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000; 8(1): 10-20.         [ Links ]

 

 

Ethical approval obtained.
No conflict of interest.

 

 

Xolisa Mgele is an orthopaedic surgeon in private practice in Newcastle, and was a principal specialist at the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Complex at the time of writing this article.

 

 

Corresponding author: X Mgele (mgelex@telkomsa.net)