Treatment of femoral fractures in neonates.

BACKGROUND Fractures of the femur in neonates are relatively uncommon. The infants feel pain and discomfort, causing parental distress, and the hospital stay is longer. Treatment of this specific fracture is problematic because of the small size of the baby. OBJECTIVES To review the results of the treatment of neonatal femoral fractures. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all neonatal fractures of the femur during a 12 year period. Thirteen fractures of the femur in 11 babies were treated with improvised Bryant skin traction of both legs. All the patients were reexamined after a mean follow-up period of 5.2 years. RESULTS All fractures healed satisfactorily clinically and radiographically, with no residual deformity, leg length discrepancy or functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS Bryant's traction for 2-3 weeks in hospital is a safe method for the treatment of femoral fractures in neonates, and the outcome is good.