What Causes Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis?

Certain Medications

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis must be properly evaluated by a physician. Delays in diagnosis are common, typically the result of the vague presenting symptoms and lack of risk factors. However, the prognosis of SCFE is directly related to how promptly the condition is diagnosed and treated. Proper evaluation of a child with potential slipped capital femoral epiphysis must include a thorough history of the complaint, past medical history, and family history. Through this history, certain medications and nutritional supplements associated with SCFE must be noted. These include growth hormone supplementation, drugs in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone family, and corticosteroids, all of which increase the risk of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Current research indicates that alone these medications and supplements minimally increase the risk, but when coupled with other risk factors, SCFE must be ruled out quickly. The common component these medications share is a chemically-induced alteration in bone health.

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