RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 How common are rib fractures in extremely low birth weight preterm infants?
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP F138
OP F139
DO 10.1136/adc.2007.136853
VO 94
IS 2
A1 Smurthwaite, D
A1 Wright, N B
A1 Russell, S
A1 Emmerson, A J
A1 Mughal, M Z
YR 2009
UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/94/2/F138.abstract
AB Background: This study was prompted by incidental finding of healing rib fractures on chest radiographs of ex-preterm born infants, who were admitted to hospital with acute respiratory illnesses within a few weeks of discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Rib fractures in infants, particularly those situated posteriorly, are considered to be specific for non-accidental injury (NAI).Methods: Retrospective examination of radiographs of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants (⩽1000 g) with a gestation range of 22 of 33 weeks, cared for at a tertiary NICU, between 1998 and 2002, and who had survived ⩾4 weeks.Results: Five out of 72 (7%) infants studied had radiologically apparent rib fractures. None involved posterior rib shafts. All infants with rib fractures died on the NICU.Conclusions: The possibility of NAI should be considered in ex-ELBW infants found to have rib fractures.