Baby has a fracture

Baby is growing. The more he grows, the more he needs to explore his universe. The various blows and traumas are more and more numerous and this despite all the attention you pay to your baby. Moreover, the childhood trauma is the number one reason for hospitalization of toddlers as well as the number one cause of death worldwide. You should know that the bones of a small child are more loaded with water than those of an adult. They are therefore less resistant to shocks.

Baby fall: how do you know if your baby has a fracture?

As it develops, baby moves more and more. And a fall happened so quickly. he can fall off the changing table or crib trying to climb it. He can too twist your ankle or arm at a bar on your bed. Or, get a finger stuck in a door, or fall in the middle of the race when he takes his first steps with enthusiasm. Risks are everywhere with baby. And despite continuous monitoring, accidents can happen at any time. After a fall, if baby sets off on new adventures after being consoled, there is nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if he is grumpy and screams if he is touched where he has fallen, it may be a fracture. A radio is essential to be clear about it. Likewise, if he is limping, if he has a bruise, if his behavior changes (he becomes cranky), then he may have broken a bone.

How to deal with a broken baby

The first thing to do is to reassure him. If the fracture involves the arm, it is necessary to put on ice, immobilize the limb superior using a sling and take baby to the emergency room for an x-ray. If the fracture involves the lower limb, it is necessary immobilize it with cloths or cushions, without pressing. The firefighters or the SAMU will transport the baby on a stretcher to prevent him from moving and aggravating the fracture. If your little one has open fracture, it is necessary try to stop the bleeding using sterile compresses or a clean cloth and very quickly call the SAMU. Above all, do not press on the bone and do not try to put it back in place.

What to do and what symptoms depending on the type of fall?

His arm is swollen

There is a hematoma. Have him sit or lie down, reassure him and then place a small bag of ice wrapped in a cloth on his injured limb for a few minutes. If his elbow can be bent, make a sling and then take him to the pediatric emergency room.

His leg was hit

A broken lower limb requires transporting the injured child on a stretcher. Call the Samu (15) or the fire department (18), and while waiting for help to arrive, just gently wedge his leg and foot. Use cushions or rolled up clothes for this, taking care to do not move the injured leg. Apply an ice pack here too, to reduce the pain and limit the formation of a hematoma.

Her skin is torn

The fractured bone cut into the skin and the wound is bleeding profusely. While waiting for the arrival of the Samu or the firefighters, try to stop the bleeding but do not try to put the bone back in place. Cut off the garment covering the wound and cover it with sterile compresses or a clean cloth held in place by a loosely bandage, taking care not to press on the bone.

How do you repair a fracture in a young child?

Let us be reassured, 8 out of 10 fractures are not serious and take care of themselves very well. This is the case with those known as “green wood”: the bone is partly broken inside, but its thick outer envelope (the periosteum) acts as a sheath that holds it in place. Or even those called “in a lump of butter”, when the periosteum is slightly crushed.

A cast worn for 2 to 6 weeks will be necessary. The tibial fracture is cast from the thigh to the foot, with the knee and ankle flexed to control rotation. For the femur, we use a large cast that goes from the pelvis to the foot, knee flexed. If the consolidation is so fast, your child is growing. Rehabilitation is rarely necessary.