Paediatrics: The limping child: differential diagnosis

The limping child: differential diagnosis

Causes of limp

Tumour

•   Neuroblastoma (age 0–5yrs)

•   Ewing’s sarcoma (age 5–15yrs)

•   Osteosarcoma (age 5–15yrs)

Benign tumour

Osteoid osteoma (age 5–15yrs).

Haematological causes (all ages)

•   Acute lymphocytic leukaemia

•   HSP

•   SCD

Thalassaemia

Infection (all ages)

• TB

• Malaria

• Lyme disease

• Viral.

Neurological causes (all ages)

• CP

• DMD

• Poliomyelitis.

• Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy

• Spina bifida

Rheumatological causes (all ages) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA;).

Trauma (all ages)

• Non-accidental injury (NAI).

• Trauma (open/closed fractures).

• Sprains/contusions.

• Ill-fitting shoes.

Congenital causes (all ages) 

Congenital limb deficiency/shortening.