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Am Fam Physician. 2008;78(6):697

Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Original Article: Clavicle Fractures

Issue Date: January 1, 2008

to the editor: The article on clavicle fractures by Drs. Pecci and Kreher is interesting. I would like to add an important cause of clavicle fracture in newborns that was not mentioned in the article. Clavicle fractures sometimes occur during childbirth, especially during a difficult cephalic vaginal delivery or following a breech delivery.1,2 These fractures still occur in developing countries, where such deliveries are more common. The child usually presents up to a few weeks after delivery with a palpable swelling on the mid-shaft location of the clavicle.3 There are usually no other symptoms. Plain radiography of the clavicle confirms the diagnosis with callous formation visible in the second or third week after birth.

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This series is coordinated by Kenny Lin, MD, MPH, deputy editor.

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