Intraperitoneal Bladder Rupture: An Uncommon Manifestation of Child Abuse

Abstract

Abdominal injuries in the battered child are well described, and more than 10 % of blunt abdominal traumas in young children may be child-abuse related.¹ Duodenal hematoma, liver laceration, superior mesenteric artery tear, and pancreatic damage are common nonaccidental injuries. Physical evidence of injury and clinical presentation are often inconsistent with the history. Child abuse is not often considered in the differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen. Because trauma to the kidneys or urinary system is an uncommon manifestation of child abuse, these injuries are more likely to go unrecognized. In this report, we review an unusual case of missed child abuse involving this system.