Fracture-Dislocation of the Lumbar Spine in an Abused Child

Experience and Reason| March 01 1998 Fracture-Dislocation of the Lumbar Spine in an Abused Child Peter G. Gabos, MD; Peter G. Gabos, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar H. Robert Tuten, MD; H. Robert Tuten, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Arabella Leet, MD; Arabella Leet, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Robert P. Stanton, MD Robert P. Stanton, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Reprint requests to (P.G.G.) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, duPont Hospital for Children, Alfred I. duPont Institute of the Nemours Foundation, 1600 Rockland Rd, PO Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899. Pediatrics (1998) 101 (3): 473–476. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.101.3.473 Article history Received: June 06 1997 Accepted: September 15 1997 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Peter G. Gabos, H. Robert Tuten, Arabella Leet, Robert P. Stanton; Fracture-Dislocation of the Lumbar Spine in an Abused Child. Pediatrics March 1998; 101 (3): 473–476. 10.1542/peds.101.3.473 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP Grand RoundsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: fracture dislocation, lumbar vertebra, fractures, petechiae Public awareness of child abuse has risen dramatically since Caffey's first description of an association between multiple fractures of the long bones, intraocular bleeding, and chronic subdural hematoma in six infants.1 Although fractures of the long bones, skull, and ribs attributable to child abuse have been well-described,2-12 few reports specifically address spinal injuries in cases of nonaccidental trauma.13-18 We report an unusual case of an isolated fracture-dislocation of the lumbar spine with a severe spinal injury as a presentation of child abuse. A 15-month-old white female was transferred to the duPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, DE) for evaluation of lethargy, facial petechiae, a palpable upper lumbar prominence, and paraplegia. According to the mother, she had noted a "lump" on the child's lower back region approximately 1 week before admission. There was no history of trauma, and the child was otherwise asymptomatic. Evaluation by a covering pediatrician for... You do not currently have access to this content.