Fractured clavicle in the neonate: a retrospective three-year review.

A hospital-based case-controlled study was undertaken to determine maternal and neonatal characteristics associated with fractured clavicle. A total of 11,604 consecutive vaginal deliveries of liveborn infants in vertex presentation at the Mount Sinai Hospital from 1988 to 1990 were reviewed. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were compared for the neonates with and without a diagnosis of a fractured clavicle. Compared to controls, mothers of neonates with a fractured clavicle were more likely to be nulliparas or primiparas, to have had an operative vaginal delivery, and to have been delivered by an attending as opposed to a resident physician. The fractured clavicle group also had a longer gestational age, greater birthweight, and higher frequency of macrosomic infants. After controlling for maternal parity, type of delivery and infant birthweight, experience of the delivering physician, and gestational age at delivery were not significantly different. Fracture of the clavicle in the neonate is related to maternal parity, mode of delivery, and infant birthweight but not to the level of experience of the delivering physician.