Reappraisal of neonatal clavicular fracture. Relationship between infant size and risk factors

Abstract

Objective: To examine the role of fetal size in neonatal clavicular fracture.

Study design: A retrospective, case-control study was performed on infants diagnosed with neonatal clavicular fractures and born vaginally between July 1997 and June 2000. For each index case, a control matched for gestational age (within one week) and birth weight (within 250 g) and delivered within the same 24-hour period was selected at random from the delivery suite registry. The maternal and intrapartum factors were compared and the results analyzed according to whether the infants were large for gestational age (LGA) or not.

Results: Among 9,540 neonates delivered vaginally during this period, 151 (1.6%) had a fractured clavicle. Multivariate analysis indicated that the independent risk factors were shoulder dystocia and vacuum extraction. When analyzed according to fetal size, shoulder dystocia was significant only for LGA infants, while vacuum extraction was significant only for non-LGA infants.

Conclusion: Independent risk factors for neonatal clavicular fracture are related to fetal size.