@article{ref1,
title="Sternal fractures as a manifestation of abusive injury in children",
journal="Pediatric radiology",
year="2002",
author="Hechter, Sloane and Huyer, Dirk W. and Manson, David",
volume="32",
number="12",
pages="902-906",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Sternal fractures are rare injuries in children. The rarity of this injury is likely due to both the relative plasticity of the pediatric thorax and to the difficulty in establishing a radiographic diagnosis without dedicated views. Current literature suggests that this injury in young children is highly specific for abusive injury. HYPOTHESIS: Sternal fractures are not highly specific for abusive injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective radiographic and clinical chart review of all documented sternal fractures over an 11-year period at a large pediatric hospital. RESULTS: Of 12 children with sternal fractures identified, four were < or = 2 years of age and eight were > or = 3 years of age. The mechanism of injury was suspicious for child abuse in two children. Both of these children were < or = 2 years of age. In one toddler, an unwitnessed injury resulted in extensive initial familial anxiety until abusive injury was excluded. CONCLUSION: Sternal fractures are unusual injuries, yet they, in themselves, are not highly specific for abusive injury.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0301-0449",
doi="10.1007/s00247-002-0807-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00247-002-0807-3"
}