spinal injuries in a child where maltreatment should be suspected

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • physical abuse should be suspected if a child presents with signs of a spinal injury (injury to vertebrae or within the spinal canal) in the absence of major confirmed accidental trauma. Spinal injury may present as:
    • a finding on skeletal survey or magnetic resonance imaging
    • cervical injury in association with inflicted head injury
    • thoracolumbar injury in association with focal neurology or unexplained kyphosis (curvature or deformity of the spine)

     

  • for the purposes of this guideline, NICE state that to suspect child maltreatment means a serious level of concern about the possibility of child maltreatment but is not proof of it

Reference:

Related pages:

physical abuse in a child

features of non-accidental injury (injury that should raise concerns) in a child in comparison to features suggestive of an accidental injury in a child