Skip to main content
Log in

Rib fractures as a cause of immediate neonatal tachypnoea

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Two macroscopic term neonates are described who presented with uncomplicated tachypnoea immediately following vaginal delivery. The tachypnoea was not associated with lung injury, metabolic, endocrine or cardio-respiratory disease but with multiple unilateral posterior rib fractures. The neonatologist should be aware that neonatal tachypnoea immediately after vaginal term delivery, especially in macrosomic infants, may be caused by the pain of fractured ribs. The diagnosis can be made only by careful inspection of the ribs on chest X-ray.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cameron JM, Rae LJ (1975) Atlas of the battered child sydrome. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh London New York

    Google Scholar 

  2. Curran JS (1981) Birth associated injuries. Clin Perinatol 8:111–124

    Google Scholar 

  3. Nathanson JN (1950) The excessively large fetus as an obstetric problem. Am J Obstet Gynecol 60:54–60

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rubin A (1964) Birth injuries: Incidence, mechanisms and end results. Obstet Gynecol 23:218–223

    Google Scholar 

  5. Sack RA (1969) The large infant. Am J Obstet Gynecol 104:195–202

    Google Scholar 

  6. Swischuk LE (1981) Radiology of the newborn and young infant, 2nd edn. Waverly Press, Baltimore, pp 630–633

    Google Scholar 

  7. Thomas PS (1977) Rib fractures in infancy. Ann Radiol 20:115–122

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Landman, L., Homburg, R., Sirota, L. et al. Rib fractures as a cause of immediate neonatal tachypnoea. Eur J Pediatr 144, 487–488 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441744

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441744

Key words

Navigation