Child Abuse Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Child Abuse, including details on family violence, examinations, long-term effects, psychiatrics disorders.

Proximal humerus and humeral shaft fractures in children.

Shrader MW

The CORE Institute, 19841 N. 27th Avenue, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ 85027, USA.

Proximal humerus fractures and fractures of the humeral shaft are relatively rare in children. The incidence of the former is about 1 to 3 cases/1000 population per year, comprising fewer than 3% of all pediatric fractures. Fractures of the humeral shaft represent fewer than 10% of all humerus fractures in children. Both types of fractures in babies and young children can be treated nonsurgically, because of the joint's ability to remodel. Simple swaddling with a sling or swaddling cloth can be the solution. For older children, splints and braces may be necessary for short periods of time. Fractures can sometimes be a sign of parental child abuse, so suspicion should remain high when evaluating children with these injuries.

Published 6 December 2007 in Hand Clin, 23(4): 431-5.
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