Iatrogenic vertebral body compression fracture in a premature infant caused by extreme flexion during positioning for a lumbar puncture.
We present a case of vertebral body compression fracture that resulted from manual flexion of the spine of a premature infant in preparation for a lumbar puncture. Vertebral body fractures due to abnormal flexion in child abuse have been described. However, such fractures due to lumbar puncture-related positioning have not been reported. We present a pre-term infant who developed an L3 vertebral body compression fracture immediately after lumbar puncture.
Habert
J
J
Department of Radiology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn 11203, USA.
Haller
J O
JO
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology*; D013129:Spinal Puncture