First rib fractures in abused infants: a report of three cases

The authors describe 4 first rib fractures in 3 infants, highlighting the difficulty in detecting first rib fractures on skeletal survey. All 4 fractures were the result of physical abuse. A literature search does not find a case of first rib fracture in a healthy infant that is not the result of ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical pediatrics Vol. 51; no. 5; p. 426
Main Authors Melville, John D, Lukefahr, James L, Clarke, Ewell A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.2012
Subjects
Child Abuse - diagnosis
Delayed Diagnosis
Humans
Infant
Male
Rib Fractures - diagnosis
Rib Fractures - etiology
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Summary:The authors describe 4 first rib fractures in 3 infants, highlighting the difficulty in detecting first rib fractures on skeletal survey. All 4 fractures were the result of physical abuse. A literature search does not find a case of first rib fracture in a healthy infant that is not the result of child abuse. The diagnosis of first rib fracture in an infant should prompt a thorough medical and social evaluation for child abuse.
ISSN:1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/0009922811430343