Clavicle fracture in Newborns and Children; Cause, Symptoms, Treatment

Описание: clavicle fracture is the most common skeletal birth injury in newborns, but it can also occur in older children due to trauma. Let’s break it down by age group:

In Newborns
Causes:

Birth trauma, especially during difficult vaginal deliveries.

Shoulder dystocia (when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck after the head is delivered).

Large baby size (macrosomia).

Instrumental delivery (forceps or vacuum extraction).

Symptoms:

Decreased movement of the affected arm.

Swelling or tenderness over the clavicle.

Crepitus (grating sensation) felt on palpation.

Sometimes a bony callus forms within a week, making the fracture more obvious.

Management:

Usually conservative: gentle immobilization (soft bandage or pinning the sleeve to the chest).

Analgesia if needed.

Rapid healing due to newborns’ strong bone remodeling ability.

Prognosis:

Excellent; most heal completely within 2–3 weeks without long-term issues.

In Children
Causes:

Falls onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH).

Sports injuries (cycling, football, playground accidents).

Direct trauma to the shoulder.

Symptoms:

Pain, swelling, and tenderness over the clavicle.

Visible deformity or “step-off” in severe cases.

Limited shoulder movement.

#Clavicle

Management:

Diagnosis with X-ray.

Most treated with a sling or figure-of-eight bandage.

Surgery (open reduction and fixation) only if severe displacement, open fracture, or neurovascular compromise.

Prognosis:

Very good; most heal within 4–6 weeks.

Children’s bones remodel well, so minor angulation often corrects with growth