Treatment of femoral fractures in neonates.
BACKGROUND
Fractures of the femur in neonates are relatively uncommon. The infants feel pain and discomfort, causing parental distress, and the hospital stay is longer. Treatment of this specific fracture is problematic because of the small size of the baby.


OBJECTIVE
To review the results of the treatment of neonatal femoral fractures.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed all neonatal fractures of the femur during a 12 year period. Thirteen fractures of the femur in 11 babies were treated with improvised Bryant skin traction of both legs. All the patients were reexamined after a mean follow-up period of 5.2 years.


RESULTS
All fractures healed satisfactorily clinically and radiographically, with no residual deformity, leg length discrepancy or functional impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Bryant's traction for 2-3 weeks in hospital is a safe method for the treatment of femoral fractures in neonates, and the outcome is good.
Givon
Uri
U
Pediatric Orthopedics Unit, Safra Hospital for Children, Tel Hashomer, Israel. ugivon@smile.net.il
Sherr-Lurie
Nir
N
Schindler
Amos
A
Blankstein
Alexander
A
Ganel
Abraham
A
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome