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Fractures in children: Core info leaflet

Topics: Physical abuse

How to identify fractures that may be the result of child abuse

This leaflet summarises what is currently known about fractures in children and when to be concerned that a child may have been physically abused.

We've produced this leaflet to assist all professionals who work with children. The information will be of particular interest to paediatricians, general practitioners, radiologists, accident and emergency doctors, orthopaedic surgeons, social workers, police and legal practitioners.

Author: NSPCC and Cardiff University
Published: 2012


Core info series

The Core info leaflet series is based on a collaborative project by the NSPCC, Cardiff University and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH).

The RCPCH are engaged in a rolling programme of systematic reviews of published research literature, originally developed by Cardiff University, on aspects of physical child abuse and neglect.

The full systematic review findings including research questions and methodologies as well as information about all of the reviews and annual updates being under taken can be found in the Child Protection Evidence resource on the RCPCH website.