%0 Journal Article
%T Sternal fractures as a manifestation of abusive injury in children
%J Pediatric radiology
%D 2002
%A Hechter, Sloane
%A Huyer, Dirk W.
%A Manson, David
%V 32
%N 12
%P 902-906
%X 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>
%G en
%I Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group
%@ 0301-0449
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00247-002-0807-3