Roentgenographic Manifestations of Unsuspected Trauma in Infancy

Twenty-five cases of unsuspected trauma in young children have been recognized in a 2-year period. They presented characteristic roentgenographic manifestations. Multiple sites of bony involvement were identified, in different stages of healing. The history and clinical aspects were frequently misleading, and the fact of wilful, repeated injury to the child was generally either unrecognized or concealed by the informant. The case of an 8-month-old girl is described. She was admitted twice for treatment of fractures, each time with evidence of repeated injuries. Recognition of these findings becomes important in safeguarding the infant from further injury.