The Battered Child Syndrome

Abstract

SUMMARY Two hundred and fifty four children presented to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Sydney, between 1972–1976 classified as “at risk”. Of these children, fifty one presented with fractures requiring orthopaedic attention. The clinical records and radiographs of these 51 children were reviewed. A practical radiological classification was formulated in order to assist in the diagnosis of the battered child syndrome. Differentiation between non‐accidental posttraumatic deformity, when the history of trauma is denied, and congenital anomaly, may be impossible. A plan of management for these children is discussed.