Teenaged girls constitute the fastest growing segment of children and adole
scents participating in organized athletics. Adolescent girls appear to hav
e similar injury rates as boys in comparable activities but different injur
y patterns. To properly diagnose and manage athletic injuries in adolescent
girls, pediatric health care providers must be aware of these differences,
especially as the literature and their knowledge base may be skewed to the
traditional predominance of males in sport. This review identifies athleti
c injuries that are unique to or especially common in adolescent girls, inc
luding apophyseal injuries; breast and pelvic injuries; scoliosis and spond
ylolysis; multidirectional shoulder instability and "gymnast's wrist"; ante
rior cruciate ligament injuries and patellofemoral pain syndrome; chronic e
xertional lower-leg compartment syndrome, ankle sprains, and reflex sympath
etic dystrophy; and stress fractures. It also briefly discusses possible ri
sk factors for these injuries, emphasizing the female athlete triad. (C) 20
01 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.