Colin R Paterson1. 1. University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. c.s.paterson@btinternet.com
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Vitamin D deficiency rickets has long been recognized as a cause of fractures and fracture-like appearances in young children. Often seen in the early 20th century, rickets has recently been regarded as uncommon; the radiological appearances, familiar to previous generations, may not be recognized for what they are. This article reports four children with unexplained fractures initially attributed confidently to non-accidental injury. In each case, the later evidence of vitamin D deficiency led to a reconsideration of that diagnosis. CONCLUSION: It is important to be aware of this bone disorder in the differential diagnosis of fractures, to investigate appropriately and to recognize that the radiological appearances may be misleading. A mistaken diagnosis of abuse does real harm, not least to the child itself.
UNLABELLED: Vitamin Ddeficiency rickets has long been recognized as a cause of fractures and fracture-like appearances in young children. Often seen in the early 20th century, rickets has recently been regarded as uncommon; the radiological appearances, familiar to previous generations, may not be recognized for what they are. This article reports four children with unexplained fractures initially attributed confidently to non-accidental injury. In each case, the later evidence of vitamin D deficiency led to a reconsideration of that diagnosis. CONCLUSION: It is important to be aware of this bone disorder in the differential diagnosis of fractures, to investigate appropriately and to recognize that the radiological appearances may be misleading. A mistaken diagnosis of abuse does real harm, not least to the child itself.
Authors: Craig F Munns; Nick Shaw; Mairead Kiely; Bonny L Specker; Tom D Thacher; Keiichi Ozono; Toshimi Michigami; Dov Tiosano; M Zulf Mughal; Outi Mäkitie; Lorna Ramos-Abad; Leanne Ward; Linda A DiMeglio; Navoda Atapattu; Hamilton Cassinelli; Christian Braegger; John M Pettifor; Anju Seth; Hafsatu Wasagu Idris; Vijayalakshmi Bhatia; Junfen Fu; Gail Goldberg; Lars Sävendahl; Rajesh Khadgawat; Pawel Pludowski; Jane Maddock; Elina Hyppönen; Abiola Oduwole; Emma Frew; Magda Aguiar; Ted Tulchinsky; Gary Butler; Wolfgang Högler Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2016-01-08 Impact factor: 5.958