As I have previously mentioned, ad nauseam, my specific experience and those of others accused of fracturing neonates relates to metaphyseal fractures and the main point of contention comes from the position that these type of fractures in the un-mineralised area around the growth plate are highly specific for NAI / Child abuse.
A cursory google re-inforces that this position is still widely held.
The mechanism is regarded as typically thought to be shaking while holding the body, hence rib fractures sometimes being scene, while the limbs fail causing a torsion injury. If no rib fractures are found, then the mechanism is thought to be pulling, twisting and shaking at the site of each fracture.
So, in my case, these "fractures" were seen at both ankles, both knees, one hip, both wrists, both elbows and one shoulder. This is a roughly symmetrical pattern. There were no rib fractures. A brain scan was done which indicated no typical shaking injury. Retinal bleeding was not found.
My son was 6 weeks old at the time these anomalies were identified. there was no bruising or soft tissue damage. He had been born at 35 weeks due to pre-eclampsia which was sudden onset - I had all the symptoms except high blood pressure for a few weeks before I started projectile vomiting and was induced. I had naturally low blood pressure and am a negative blood group. So my own care wasn't the greatest, as without the high blood pressure, the massive water retention and recurrent UTIs and need for almost constant antibiotics in the last few weeks was not considered significant nor a risk to my pregnancy.
My son was in hospital for a week after birth - mild jaundice etc - then we came home. My in-laws were with us for week two; we had regular visitors which I wasn't stressed about - he was the first grand-child and having the family together was wonderful. In week three our landlord who was a close friend (professional - college lecturer) stayed with us.
My son was seen by the HV regularly, and no concerns were noted. I was described as being like a cow in clover, and my partner was also thrilled. He took time out from work and was appropriately involved and supportive.
Allegedly, between him coming home and being placed in FC I had, on multiple occasions, as I was the main carer, taken every opportunity to very carefully torture him, leaving no marks and without him showing signs of distress.
He had a few feeding, problems, an anal fissure thankfully witnessed by father and grand-mother during a nappy change, and was diagnosed with colic which we treated appropriately. Every concern we had was brought to the attention of professionals, advice taken and followed. He was almost sleeping for six hours at a time when he was taken, and I was utterly gobsmacked because I had been a terrible screamy baby, and even at his worst his cries were more like loud miaowing than screams. (We are cat people for reference). I really did feel very lucky.
So even knowing all of this, interviewing those who were around us and doing background checks, I found it very hard to believe that the conclusion was still deliberate child abuse. Because of the type of fracture. Even though it made no sense and decisions are supposed to take a range of factors into consideration.
I understood the need for, and co-operated with being investigated - with the underlyng worry that he had a condition or illness that was being over-looked. But right up until they said we had to place him voluntarily into FC I believed the professionals would get it right and there would be an answer other than "You did it because you are a really clever psychopath taking your rage out on a defenceless child and showing no other signs of mental illness under the noses of dozens of people".
We were interviewed once under caution by CID and no charges were brought. The SW doggedly tried to pursue criminal proceedings. I sometimes wonder if a day in criminal court would have allowed us to really examine the medical evidence properly, rather than it just being passed from expert to expert bound to agree with each other due to the "balance of probabilities".
As mentioned, in FC he was treated with high doses of vitamins despite all his levels being "normal" (precautionary and to help his bones heal.) He also had a rare type of anaemia not picked up on until 6 or 7 months had passed but too late to look into because he had changed to formula and had become much more robust.
My son was just under 6 pounds at birth. His newborn clothes didn't fit - we had to get smaller ones. His feet (I still have some first socks) were so tiny, that had I gripped one to yank and twist and shake it, causing the injuries to his ankle, I'm sure injuries would have been much more severe.
Remaining calm, rational and objective while being accused of harming the most precious thing in your world - in fact being TOLD without doubt that you have done this, is rather hard. As the investigation progressed and I juggled contact and court hearings and expert meetings etc, my emotions sometimes got the better of me. I tried not to let it impact contact, but playing happy families, jumping through assessment hoops and all the while wondering how long have I got before I lose him was very challenging.
So, to prevent this happening in fracture cases, I think each child, regardless of medical dogma, should be treated as a blank slate and every single avenue explored before a definite pronouncement of abuse is made. By all means do the safe-guarding - most loving parents will try and put aside their feelings for the welfare of their child, if it means answers are found.
And if anomalies are found in blood tests they should be further investigated there and then, not dismissed because it's "highly unlikely in my opinion" to be relevant. Also any sort of nutritional deficiency should be looked hard for, and the quality of both the childs and mothers intakes investigated. In pre-eclampsia, the placenta starts to fail and perhaps nutritional exchange is impacted?
But continually saying "It must be abuse because it's always been abuse" does a child no favours - there lives could effectively go on to be based on, if not downright lies, then stubborn refusal to see a bigger picture and saving face.
I asked to be hypnotised and also for a lie detector test - i was so determined to prove one way or the other what had happened as I had no explanation outside of normal handling, which wasn't good enough. It had been suggested I had done things without being aware, although I have no history of fugue or absence. My requests were denied because they were a bit off the wall and can apparently show false positives when you are under stress. But that is how desperate I was for answers. It truly is a hell that is difficult to escape.
I really hope things have changed since then, i really do.