Pediatric Radiology > Musculoskeletal > Trauma > General Principles of Pediatric Trauma
General Principles of Pediatric Trauma
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multitude of factors help to explain why children respond differently
than adults to trauma. First, children have immature bone with open growth plates and cartilaginous
epiphyses. They possess a thick, tough periosteum with incomplete mineralization
of underlying bone which results in greater elasticity and a greater propensity
to deform prior to breaking. As a result, complete fractures are far less
common in children, whereas bending, bowing and partial fractures are
much more common. Moreover, with malleable bones and open epiphyseal plates, children are far less
likely to sustain ligamentous damage as a result of trauma than are adults.
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Common types of bone injuries in children:
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