Citation

Paterson CR. Acta Paediatr. 2009; 98(12): 2008-2012.

Affiliation

University of Dundee, Dundee, UK. c.s.paterson@btinternet.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01407.x

PMID

19572990

Abstract

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.

Language: en