Causes of Femoral Shaft Fracture in Children Under Five Years of Age
YONGYOT JEERATHANYASAKUN,MD*, PAlC HIT HIRANYA V ANITCH, MD**, DILOK BHUMMICHITRA, MD**, PIS IT SUKSWA I, MD*, DOOL KOVITVA NITCHA, MD*, VEERASAK THUMKUNANON, MD*,
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, **Consultant, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Objective : To study the causes of femoral shaft fracture in children younger than 5 years of age. Study
Design : Retrospective, descriptive study.
Patients and
Method : Medical records and radiographs of 39 children younger than 5 years of age with femoral shaft fractures treated in Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health during the years 1996-2001 were reviewed. The responsible causes for the femoral shaft fracture given by caretakers by interview were collected.
Results : The most common history was falling or jumping from a height (36%) followed by traffic accidents (26%) and object or person falling on top of them (23%) respectively. Only one case presented with a history of abuse. 'Nine cases were suspected of abuse, but, without further investiga tions it was not possible to identify the exact cause of fracture.
Conclusion : Histories given by caretakers for the cause of femoral shaft fracture in children younger than 5 years of age are varied. The orthopedists should find out the exact cause of fracture to prevent missed or delayed diagnosis of abuse that may have occurred.
Keywords : Femoral Shaft Fracture, Cause, Children Under 5 years
