NEWBORN CLAVICLE FRACTURES

A prospective screening program of 9106 newborns identified 43 infants with clavicle fractures for a prevalence of 1 fracture in every 213 l ive births (0.5%). The fractures were equally distributed by right and left side involvement, and male and female sex. All fractures occurre d during vaginal deliveries. None were breech presentation. Risk facto rs for fracture included large birthweight, shoulder dystocia, mechani cally assisted delivery, and prolonged gestational age. One in 11 newb orns with a clavicle fracture also had a brachial plexus palsy.