Fractures in children younger than age 1 year: importance of collaboration with child protection services.

The medical records of all children less than 1 year of age presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department over a 5-year period (1995-1999) with a fracture were retrospectively reviewed for possible abuse. Seventy-four children presented with fractures during the study period, with a mean age at presentation of 5 months (range 2 weeks to 1 year). Of these children, 46 had skull fractures and 28 had long bone fractures.