Pediatric femoral shaft fracture requiring revision surgery for nonunion associated with vitamin D and K deficiencies: a case report

• Published in: Journal of medical case reports 2024-01, Vol.18 (1), p.38-38, Article 38
• Main Authors: Igarashi, Shun, Nozaka, Koji, Shirahata, Tsuyoshi, Kijima, Hiroaki, Saito, Hidetomo, Saito, Kimio, Kawano, Tetsuya, Miyakoshi, Naohisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alfacalcidol; Biological activity; Calcifediol; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case reports; Fractures; Metabolism; Nonunion; Pediatric femoral shaft fracture; Pediatrics; Postoperative period; Rigid antegrade intramedullary nail; Surgery; Titanium elastic nail; Vitamin D; Vitamin deficiency
• ISSN: 1752-1947; 1752-1947
• DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-04325-x

Nonunion of femoral shaft fractures in children is rare, and there is no clear treatment protocol. In this case report, a pediatric femoral shaft fracture that developed in nonunion due to vitamin deficiency after osteosynthesis, which was successfully treated with vitamin augmentation and replacement with a rigid antegrade intramedullary nail, is described. The patient is an 11-year-old Japanese girl. She injured her right femoral shaft fracture when she hit a wall after kickboarding down a hill and underwent osteosynthesis with a titanium elastic nail. Six months postoperatively, she developed nonunion, was found to be deficient in vitamins D and K, and was started on vitamin supplementation. She underwent replacement with a rigid antegrade intramedullary nail at 7 months postoperatively, and bone union was achieved 3 months after reoperation. When delayed union of a fracture is observed postoperatively, even in children without underlying disease, the cause of the problem must be investigated and treated promptly.