Incidence and associated risk factors of birth fractures in the newborns

Objective: The term of birth fracture (BF) is used to describe the skeletal fracture that newborns suffer during delivery and birth process. The aim of this study was to determine the types and incidence of BF in two teaching hospitals. Methodology: In a retrospective study all of the delivery files were reviewed in the birth and nursery rooms in two teaching general hospitals from Aug. 2006 to Sept. 2007. Parameters related to mothers and neonates including the type of delivery presentation, long bone fractures, birth weight, and the known diseases of mother were recorded Results: During one year, 10722 deliveries occurred, 7823 of them were by vaginal and 2899 others by cesarean section. Twenty one deliveries were complicated by fractures (1.96%), 15 in clavicle and 6 in humerus. No statistically significant risk factors were noted with respect of known risk factors. Conclusion: Clavicle was the most common site of birth fracture, and many of these injuries occurred without a known risk factors. We conclude that most birth fractures are unavoidable or unpredictable, but every effort must be made to detect the high risk mothers and neonates before delivery. In these cases the cesarean section may be preferred as a safe method for neonate delivery.