1. Bone atrophy is an unavoidable concomitant in paraplegia. 2. Ambulation with crutches and braces does not restore bone integrity to a degree sufficient to eliminate the danger of spontaneous fractures, at least in children. 3. Paraplegic children exhibit considerably greater uncontrolled activity in bed than do adult paraplegics with similar handicaps. 4. Spontaneous fractures occur frequently in paraplegic children during rest. 5. Nurses and attendants administering routine daily bed care should be cautioned to exercise gentleness.