[Epidemiologic study of skull fractures in children under 18 months].
One hundred and forty-five children with a skull fracture were taken care of in a pediatric and pediatric surgical service from 1975 to 1980. Thirty-one of these children (21.4%) were infants less than 18 months of age. The medical records of these 31 infants were reviewed, and the information was completed through a questionnaire and through telephone calls to parents and physicians. This retropsective study revealed that 4 cases of skull fracture were undoubtedly and 5 cases probably examples of child abuse. This sub-group of 9 cases represents 29% of the total. Except in two cases of these patients, the classical socio-financial risk factors were not part of the picture. Three of the remaining 22 infants were injured in a traffic accident. Three others fell from a high structure (balcony, terrace). These six cases (almost 20% of the total) illustrate the need for educating not only the public but also the government officials concerned with safety in the urban environment.
D000059:Accidents; D002649:Child Abuse; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013557:Switzerland
Etude épidémiologique des fractures du crâne chez les enfants de moins de 18 mois.