Femur fracture in infants: A possible accidental etiology

Femoral fractures in nonambulating infants are generally felt to be attribu table to abuse in the absence of significant trauma or underlying organic p athology. The investigation of such fractures includes a report to appropri ate social service and law enforcement agencies, and legal involvement. Thi s paper describes 2 nonambulatory infants who sustained identical oblique d istal femoral metaphyseal fractures extending through the growth plate afte r playing in an infant stationary activity center called an Exersaucer. It is possible that the twisting motion provided by the Exersaucer (Evenflo, P icqua, OH) might be consistent with the generation of forces necessary to c ause these fractures.