injuries poisoning
Pediatric Physeal (Growth Plate) Fractures
Key Points
Because the growth plate is more fragile in children, it is often disrupted before other stabilizing structures (eg, major ligaments). The prognosis tends to be worse for children with Salter types III, IV, and V than for those with types I and II. Consider comparison x-rays of the uninjured side if fracture is suspected but is not visible on x-rays of the injured side. ORIF is often required for types III and IV. 