Sternal fractures as a manifestation of abusive injury in children.

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.