Analysis of pediatric sternal fractures using the Kid's Inpatient Database (KID)

A Case of Pediatric Sternal Fracture Diagnosed by POCUS

“…Moderate or extreme condition in all patients refined diagnosis related group (APR-DRG) category, severe head injury, and mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of mortality, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 9.80 (7.3-13.16), 16.84 (12.54-22.61), and 3.84 (2.70-5.46). However, isolated sternal fracture was not a risk factor (OR 0.75: 0.34-1.65) for mortality 3 . Another retrospective study also stated that isolated sternal fracture can be managed conservatively 5 .…”

“…Another retrospective study reported the rates of pneumothorax, rib fractures, and blunt abdominal injuries at 34.8%, 42.8%, and 27.8%, respectively 4 . The mortality rate of pediatric sternal fracture was 3.8-8% 3 , 4 . Moderate or extreme condition in all patients refined diagnosis related group (APR-DRG) category, severe head injury, and mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of mortality, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 9.80 (7.3-13.16), 16.84 (12.54-22.61), and 3.84 (2.70-5.46).…”

“…Sternal fracture in children is uncommon with its annual prevalence of 0.43/100,000 3 . The major mechanism of injury for pediatric sternal fracture are motor vehicle accidents, followed by falls at 67%-77.6%, and 5.9%-6%, respectively 3 , 4 . However, sternal fractures can occur due to relatively minor trauma such as sports injury or playground fall 13 .…”

“…However, sternal fractures can occur due to relatively minor trauma such as sports injury or playground fall 13 . A retrospective cohort study found that the common concurrent injuries with sternal fracture were extremity fracture (80%), traumatic brain injury (71%), abdominal injury (52%), pulmonary contusion (47%), and rib fracture (38%), with blunt cardiac injury or cardiac tamponade being rare at 0% and 3%, respectively 3 . Another retrospective study reported the rates of pneumothorax, rib fractures, and blunt abdominal injuries at 34.8%, 42.8%, and 27.8%, respectively 4 .…”

“…The most common mechanism of pediatric sternal fractures is motor vehicle accident, and the widespread use of seat belt has contributed to the increase in this injury 2 . Sternal fractures sometimes associate with comorbidities such as pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, cardiac injury, and extremity fractures, alarming physicians to perform extensive examinations and investigations to exclude these complications 3 , 4 . However, isolated sternal fractures can be treated conservatively 5 .…”