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Original poster

How many breaks/fractures is "normal" for a 3 year old?

204 replies

MrsOverTheRoad · 09/08/2017 15:03

I am a little concerned about someone I know in that their 3 year old has seemingly injured himself very often.

In the past 6 months he has fractured his arm, "broke his sternum" and had a fall in which he hurt his other arm quite badly but which the Mother didn't get checked out...she said she was worried about social services considering his other recent injuries.

The arm fracture occurred, she said when he was with his Grandparent...I spoke to the grandparent and they confirmed this. The sternum break when he ran into the corner of a table and the arm injury when he fell off a child's slide in their garden.

Is this a lot or pretty normal for an active boy?

The only reason I do have concerns is that when I have spent some time with him, he's shouted at me in a very adult way..."acted out" being agressive if you will.

Lots of "NO! YOU DON'T DO THAT!" etc in a loud shouty voice with finger wagging..again this could be normal but my DC never did it so I don't know.

But he otherwise seems happy and healthy...another person close to his Mother said that he worried that his Mum was agressive to him in the way she spoke to him.

Writing it all down it seems like an obvious "Tell someone" situation but it's hard to tell when you're closeish to the family.

OP posts:
Coconutspongexo · 09/08/2017 17:32

Ours is per trust wellthisisshit

MiaowTheCat · 09/08/2017 17:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LakieLady · 09/08/2017 17:43

My brother was (still is!) very accident prone. He'd had 3 A&E admissions by the time he was a year old. He didn't break a bone until he was in his late teens though.

I don't think broken sternums are that rare. My SIL recently broke 2 ribs and her sternum slipping getting out of the shower, a school friend broke hers in a fall playing netball, a friend did his playing rugby and a colleague broke his in a car crash at a speed of only 25 mph.

If I was this child's mum I think I'd be asking the GP to check for any brittle bone type problem though.

FrogsSitonLogs · 09/08/2017 17:44

Not seeking or delaying medical attention is a red flag and any old unknown fractures that are discovered will cause a social care referral and concern amongst a paediatric team. I'm a paeds nurse. If you have concerns please report.

Writerwannabe83 · 09/08/2017 17:46

If I was this child's mum I think I'd be asking the GP to check for any brittle bone type problem though.

Any issues with bone density are typically picked up on X-rays anyway though and if there were any concerns about this the child would have bloods in hospital to check for Rickets and Vitamin D or Calcium abnormalities etc.

junebirthdaygirl · 09/08/2017 17:54

Come from large family. Raised on a farm. All extremely active with not much supervision. Not one broken bone among us.
It is unusual.

Bobbybobbins · 09/08/2017 18:03

My DS got a fracture in his hand at 19 months from following his brother up a small kiddy plastic slide then falling off Blush The doctor at A and E was very clear in his questioning - he was trying to find out if we had done it throw yanking his arm or hand. It's good that they check up.

MMXV · 09/08/2017 18:03

Surprised that so many people are surprised - as it were - by the sternum injury. It's one of the most common injuries from an airbag inflation in a car crash.

It is also a very common trampoline injury if there is a second person on the trampoline, particularly if there is a big weight imbalance (as there usually is when an adult is jumping alongside a child).

But not taking your child to A&E because you fear SS involvement is definitely a red flag.

YellowLawn · 09/08/2017 18:07

Any issues with bone density are typically picked up on X-rays anyway

bone density is visible with mri or ct scans, not simple x-ray.

Coconutspongexo · 09/08/2017 18:07

A sternum break from running into a table is unusual though

MeltorPeltor · 09/08/2017 18:08

Accidents are a fact of life BUT not taking an injured child to be checked out after a painful injury because you were worried about social services is a massive red flag.

My son is 2 and has been to A&E twice due to accidents, first NHS direct told me to go but A&E said it was fine. Second time he required stitches. If he's hurt he gets seen by an expert, no matter what.

Embarrassedemma · 09/08/2017 18:11

The lack of hospital attention would be my only concern really as I have known of lots of kids, mainly boys to have breaks and genuine accidents.
I take it this lady is supposed to be your friend though? I'm a bit stumped how you would have " confirmed this with the grandparents " without being either a relative or a pretty close family friend so odd you wouldn't talk to her regarding your concerns but deciding to report her instead.
I take it he attends nursery and they've raised no concerns with mum?

Akani · 09/08/2017 18:19

" It's one of the most common injuries from an airbag inflation in a car crash."

Yes, but this child wasn't in a car accident or on a trampoline. A child running into a coffee table edge and at a force enough to break a sternum is pretty bloody unusual. No?

MMXV · 09/08/2017 18:28

I missed that information about the table, sorry. Agreed, something not quite right here, even if it's just the mother's anxieties.

Neoflex · 09/08/2017 18:33

I think it is unusual for your child to be injured but not get help for the injury because you are scared that social services will get involved. Yes I would be worried that I might get a visit from a social worker or that the police might be called but it would not stand in the way of me getting medical help for my child. That poor boy might have a broken bone and be in pain. Someone needs to be taking him to a doctor.

FrogsSitonLogs · 09/08/2017 19:04

If anyone came in saying their child broke their sternum from running in to a coffee table I'm afraid the response would be 'yeah right'. Trauma such as a car accident causes that type of fracture.

Aeroflotgirl · 09/08/2017 19:11

No I have 2 and none of them broke a bone. Unless he has brittle bone. If your concerned call SS.

gamerwidow · 09/08/2017 19:15

For most people breaking a bone is a once in a lifetime thing. It certainly isn't common unless you have an underlying medical condition or are involved in sports where collisions etc are more likely.
To have broken bones or been badly injured several times at that age is worrying. It could be just bad luck but it would be unusual.

lozzylizzy · 09/08/2017 19:23

My Dd had a broken arm at 5 months old. She was rolling and my then nearly two year old helped her all the way over! She was right beside me and it caused a break! So yes it can happen just because others don't. Sternums are tough though

Ecureuil · 09/08/2017 19:27

Just to point out DD1 has fractured both legs and has no underlying medical issues/brittle bones etc. Just two very unfortunate accidents! First one she slipped on a book on our laminate floor and landed awkwardly. Second one (and the other leg!) she fell down 2 garden steps at PIL's house. Just because your children have never broken any bones, doesn't mean it can't happen!

Ecureuil · 09/08/2017 19:27

And she was of course being supervised both times. Just split second falls.

Queenofthestress · 09/08/2017 19:29

3.5 year old with disabilties, Ive been to a&e as well as OOH so many times i know the nurses by name, Ive been worried about SS involvement as a young mum on my own but DS was still taken anyway because getting my kid seen was more important

On one of my many trips I was told toddler bones are incredibly hard to break

I would ring NSPCC personally

lozzylizzy · 09/08/2017 19:30

It does seem to happen with little falls where they twist a bit wrong rather than great force. My sister slipped down two steps and fractured her leg at 2 holding my dads hand, at 3 she fractured her collar bone falling off a slide!

milliemolliemou · 09/08/2017 19:32

Just call the NSPCC and explain your concerns and ask for their advice.

Like PPs my main concern would be a 3 year old running fast enough in any house to break their sternum on the corner of a table and fracturing his arm (not explained) and injuring his arm (falling off a slide) all in his grandfather's house (as it seems - do clarify) and the fact the mother doesn't want to have him checked out for the second arm injury.

MrsClegane · 09/08/2017 19:32

Wouldnt a&e/hv be looking into ss themselves.... I know our hv alwasy got told if one of mine were taken to A&E.

As for "normal"... its hard to know what is "normal". My eldest is 9 and never been hurt bad enough to need a&e treatment.... my youngest has been in several ambulances, an air ambulance and stayed in hospital after bangs. (no broken bones).

my brother at that age had broken a wrist and his collar bone in 2 separate incidences, not long apart. Around the same time my sister broke an arm as well... there was nothing untoward about the accidents...my db had a habit of jumping from one sofa to the other which resulted in 1 break, the other break was him falling out of bed and falling funny, my sisters was when she was in a cosy coupe car which tipped over, she put her arm out to stop herself from falling and broke her arm.

Accidents DO happen....

BUT...I would be worried about her not seeking medical attention over him hurting his arm....trying to hide it rings alarm bells. how long ago was the accident....could you phone the hv and maybe they can "pop" by unannounced and ask about it? (if there is still physical evidence of it)

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