Neonatal obstetric epiphysiolysis; [LES EPIPHYSIOLYSES OBSTETRICALES DES NOUVEAU NES]

Abstract

The authors describe the cases of 10 babies in which epiphysiolysis occurred during delivery. This was usually epiphysiolysis of the humerus. The babies were generally brought to the paediatrician after considerable delay as a result of wrong diagnosis. Most of the babies had epiphysiolysis of type I in which the line of fracture passes horizontally through the epiphyseal plate forming a triangular fragment which includes the metaphysis. They describe the radiological signs of value in diagnosis and stress that, where necessary, the joint should be tapped and a bacterial examination of the fluid should be made. Previous experience shows that epiphysiolysis has a serious effect on growth and development.