title: First rib fractures in abused infants: a report of three cases.
abstract: The authors describe 4 first rib fractures in 3 infants, highlighting the difficulty in detecting first rib fractures on skeletal survey. All 4 fractures were the result of physical abuse. A literature search does not find a case of first rib fracture in a healthy infant that is not the result of child abuse. The diagnosis of first rib fracture in an infant should prompt a thorough medical and social evaluation for child abuse.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. Melville@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Melville
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lukefahr
authors.forename: Ewell A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology