Clinical-radiological features of fractures in premature infants – a review
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David M. Carroll
Abstract
Premature infants are more vulnerable to bone fractures than term infants for numerous reasons, directly or indirectly related to prematurity. Although the reported incidence of fractures in this vulnerable population is somewhat inconsistent, the increased risk is clear. Metabolic disorders, genetic disease, accidental trauma, and non-accidental injury can all account for fractures in premature infants, so that determining the etiology is of importance. This increased risk does not appear to continue into childhood. Thus, most of these fractures would be found in children <3 years of age, often within the first year of life. Unfortunately, this is the same age group in which the majority of non-accidental injury (NAI) cases, frequently presenting with fractures, are seen. Further confounding the diagnosis is the possibility of previously undiagnosed fractures from trauma during delivery, and fractures due to bone weakening by metabolic diseases. A multi-dimensional approach using a combination of diagnostic procedures is necessary to properly identify the location of the fractures, the bone structure and characteristics, and the history with regards to family situation and medical treatment. This paper reviews the potential factors related to fractures in premature infants and the differential diagnoses of child abuse fractures.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Reply
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Intrauterine growth restriction and risk for arterial hypertension: a causal relationship?
- Clinical-radiological features of fractures in premature infants – a review
- Scientific and religious controversies about the beginning of human life: the relevance of the ethical concept of the fetus as a patient
- The status of the embryo in Buddhism: opinions on scientific and religious controversies about the beginning of human life
- The calcium binding protein, S100B, is increased in the amniotic fluid of women with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation and preterm labor with intact or ruptured membranes
- Validity of amniotic fluid index in preterm rupture of membranes
- Activity of adenosine deaminase in mothers who have conceived a fetus with central nervous system malformations
- Ductus venosus Doppler measurement during labor
- Fetal scalp pH and ST analysis of the fetal ECG as an adjunct to cardiotocography to predict fetal acidosis in labor / A multi-center, case controlled study
- Comparison of two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography in lung volume measurement of normal fetuses
- MRI and multiplanar 3D ultrasound compared in the prenatal assessment of enlarged posterior fossa
- Monochorionic twins in which at least one fetus has a congenital heart disease with or without twin-twin transfusion syndrome
- Enriched post-discharge formula versus term formula for bone strength in very low birth weight infants: a longitudinal pilot study
- Which information will be given to parents of preterm infants – a comparison of estimates and local data
- Intestinal trefoil factor in treatment of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in the rat model
- Impact of being small-for-gestational age on survival and long-term outcome of extremely premature infants born at 23–27 weeks' gestation
- Gastroschisis: brief early history
- Reply
- Congress Calendar
