[Radiographic examination of injuries in children. Clinical and legal considerations about indications].

X-ray films of the skeleton obtained after trauma in 1,386 children and adolescents (until the end of their 18th year) were analysed retrospectively. Among a total of 2,006 examinations 354 fractures were diagnosed, an average diagnostic yield of 17.2%. Classifying the results by skeletal region, X-ray films of the skull were the most frequently requested examination (29.7%), but fractures were diagnosed in only 2.2%. On the other hand, X-rays of the lower arm provided the highest fracture yield, at 54.9%, followed by the shoulder with 47.7%.- In view of the large discrepancy between clinical suspicion and radiological confirmation of fractures, X-ray examinations should be undertaken in case of trivial injuries in children only if strictly indicated. Although the doctor is legally bound to detailed documentation of each case, this does not necessarily imply that he must perform an X-ray.