Fractures in the under-3-year-old age cohort.

One hundred twenty-four urban children under 3 years of age admitted for fractures were retrospectively reviewed to determine the frequency of accidental and nonaccidental causes in this population. The fractures were categorized according to their mechanisms: motor-vehicle passenger or pedestrian accident, other accidents, or child abuse. There were no differences in the frequency of fractures by race, date of birth, or season in which the injury occurred. Skull fractures were most frequent (62%), followed by femur fractures (11%). There was a 26% increase in fractures between 1987 and 1989, especially in the non-motor vehicle cohort. Caretaker ignorance and/or carelessness was a common cause of fractures in the infant and toddler age group. Injuries were still occurring in spite of infant care seat use. The American public must be educated in preventive medicine and safety to decrease the senseless morbidity of our greatest resource.