Are children with femoral fracture haemodynamically unstable?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the occurrence of hypovolaemic shock in children who have sustained traumatic femoral fracture.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study was performed on a cohort of children with traumatic femoral fracture presenting over a five and a half year period from 1 January 1996 to 1 July 2001. Selected parameters for analysis included administration of a fluid bolus, as well as all available vital signs within 4 h following injury relating to pulse, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin capillary refill time and mental status. Fluid and blood transfusion records were examined, as was the need for intraosseous access. Initial haemoglobin and haematocrit results were also obtained.

RESULTS

There was no evidence for haemodynamic instability in the 100 patients who met the selection criteria when compared with internationally accepted normal vital sign parameters. No significant difference was found in the initial vital signs between patients who received fluid bolus and those that didn't. No patient needed intraosseous access or fluid resuscitation. One patient received blood transfusion without evidence of haemodynamic instability. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values were not significantly decreased. Ninety-two percent of patients in this study had isolated femoral fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence for haemodynamic instability was found in a cohort of children with traumatic femoral fracture.