%0 Journal Article %T Vitamin D deficiency rickets and allegations of non-accidental injury %J Acta paediatrica %D 2009 %A Paterson, Colin R. %V 98 %N 12 %P 2008-2012 %X 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

%G en %I John Wiley and Sons %@ 0803-5253 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01407.x