Birth-associated femoral fractures: incidence and outcome.
Femoral fractures resulting from birth injuries are rare. The authors undertook a study to assess their incidence and outcome. Seven patients from a total of 55,296 live births suffered 8 femoral fractures (incidence 0.13 per 1,000 live births). Twin pregnancies, breech presentations, prematurity, and disuse osteoporosis were associated with the occurrence of a fracture. The typical injury pattern was a spiral fracture of the proximal half of the femur, which was held in an extended position. A variety of treatment modalities were used, including gallows traction, spica cast, and Pavlik harness. All patients in this study, regardless of treatment, had a satisfactory clinical outcome, with no evidence of limb length discrepancy or angular deformity on follow-up.
Morris
Seamus
S
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. sfmorris@gofree.indigo.ie
Cassidy
Noelle
N
Stephens
Michael
M
McCormack
Damian
D
McManus
Frank
F
D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011859:Radiography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014143:Traction