title: Fractures of the humerus in the neonatal period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fractures of the humerus in neonates can pose a diagnostic challenge, especially when the fracture occurs in the proximal or distal epiphysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of birth-related humeral fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between the years 2001 and 2009, seven newborn patients and two patients treated in the neonatal intensive care unit sustained a fracture of the humerus. Four of the fractures occurred in the humeral shaft, three in the proximal epiphysis and two in the distal epiphysis. In all the newborn patients the diagnosis was made on the first day of life using radiography and ultrasonography. The fractures of the shaft and of the distal epiphysis were treated by gentle manipulation and casting, and the fractures of the proximal epiphysis were treated by swaddling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the patients demonstrated fracture union within 2 weeks, and radiographs at the age of 6 months demonstrated complete remodeling of the fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography is a simple, readily available and inexpensive modality for the diagnosis of birth-related fractures of the humerus, especially in the yet unossified epiphyses.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Orthopedic Unit, Safra Hospital for Children, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sherr-Lurie
authors.forename: Gad M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bialik
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganel
authors.forename: Amos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Givon
mesh_terms: D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography