Which of the following are risk factors for SCFE?

• A. Adolescents (10-15 years), obesity, and more common in males.
• B. Newborns
• C. Elderly with osteoarthritis
• D. Female athletes with knee pain

Answer: (A)

SCFE most commonly occurs during adolescence when the growth plate at the hip is vulnerable, and two of the strongest risk factors are being in that age range and carrying excess weight. Obesity increases the shear forces across the proximal femoral physis, making a slip more likely, and boys are affected somewhat more than girls, reflecting a higher incidence in males.

Newborns and elderly individuals with osteoarthritis involve hip problems with very different mechanisms and timing, so they’re not typical risk groups for SCFE. Female athletes with knee pain would more likely have conditions related to the knee or overuse injuries, not a slip of the femoral head.

Thus, the combination of adolescence (roughly 10–15 years), obesity, and male predominance best matches the known risk profile for SCFE.