Features of femoral fractures in nonaccidental injury.

Abstract

Femoral fracture is one of the most common long bone fractures owing to nonaccidental injury, but there is little evidence in the literature about their characteristics. It is important medicolegally to establish a diagnosis of child abuse. Fourteen femoral fractures from definite nonaccidental injury were analysed and compared with 33 femoral fractures caused by definite accident. The age, site, and fracture patterns were carefully studied. Of inflicted femoral fractures, 92.8% (13 of 14) occurred in children younger than 1 year old. On studying the fracture morphology, we conclude that there is no specific roentgenographic site or fracture pattern that allows differentiation between accidental and nonaccidental femoral fractures.