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Does Bruising Help Determine Which Fractures Are Caused by Abuse?

NCJ Number
228659
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2009 Pages: 376-381
Author(s)
Thomas J. Valvano; Helen J. Binns; Emalee G. Flaherty; Dan E. Leonhardt
Date Published
November 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study sought to determine whether bruising could be used to differentiate between abusive and nonabusive fractures and to characterize bruising and fracture patterns found in abused children.
Abstract
Results of the study found that a bruise generally does not occur on the same body site as a fracture and when it does, it is not a useful indicator of abuse. Research shows that fractures are a common manifestation of child abuse and are present in approximately one-third of all cases of physical abuse. Research also shows that bruising is a well-recognized sign of physical abuse in children. However, few studies have examined associations between bruising and fractures. To determine whether the presence or absence of bruising can be used to differentiate between abusive and nonabusive fractures, a retrospective study of children with acute fractures, other than skull fractures, was conducted and evaluated over the period of January 1997 through February 2005. A total of 170 eligible cases were identified and reviewed. Tables and references