Rib Fractures Are Rare in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

Nonaccidental trauma should be considered in children who present with rib fractures after NICU discharge.

Metabolic bone disease is common in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. To examine the incidence of rib fractures in ELBW infants, investigators in the U.K. reviewed clinical information and 1762 chest radiographs for 72 infants (gestational age, 22–33 weeks; birth weight, 450–990 g) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) who survived for 4 weeks or more in 1998–2002.

Two pediatric radiologists identified anterior or lateral rib fractures in five (7%) infants and posterior rib fractures in none. Skeletons of all infants with rib fractures and 89% of infants without rib fractures were osteopenic. No temporal relation was found between rib fractures and cardiopulmonary resuscitation events or insertion of chest tubes. Infants with rib…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)