Adrenal lacerations in child abuse: a marker of severe trauma.

There are few reports of adrenal injuries complicating inflicted pediatric trauma. All child-abuse cases at the New York City Medical Examiner's Office over a 7-year period were reviewed. Of these 121 homicides, 50 sustained severe injuries to the torso. Five infants (10.0%) had adrenal laceration, a marker of major blunt-force injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]