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Rib fractures in infancy, case-series and register case-control study from Sweden

  • Ulf Högberg ORCID logo EMAIL logo and Ingemar Thiblin ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: February 25, 2021
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Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
From the journal Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Volume 34 Issue 3

Abstract

Objectives

To assess cases with rib fractures in infants under observation for or with an abuse diagnosis, and to compare risk factors with that in infants with fractures but no abuse diagnosis.

Methods

Design was case-series and register case-control of infants (aged <1 year) with rib fractures. Data was clinical records for the case-series (n = 26) and from national health registers for the case-controls (n = 28 and n = 31). Outcome measures were maternal and perinatal characteristics, reasons for appointment, examination, diagnoses, blood tests, and radiologic findings.

Results

The case-series had a median age of 70 days. A majority were detected through a skeletal survey for abuse investigation. Sixteen were boys, three were preterm and six were small-for-gestational age. Three carers had noticed popping sound from the chest; no infants showed signs of pain at physical examination. Mean number of fractures was 4.2, and 24 had callus. Bone mineralisation was scarcely reported. Metabolic panel was not uniformly analysed. The register case-control had a median age of 76 days, sharing risk factors such as maternal overweight/obesity, male sex, prematurity, and being small-for-gestational age. Cases more often had subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage, or long-bone fractures, controls more often had neonatal morbidity, respiratory infection, or a fall accident. Detection of fracture at time of a major surgery (n = 6) and rickets/vitamin D deficiency (n = 5) appeared in both groups, but was delayed among the cases.

Conclusions

Rib fractures in young infants, diagnosed as abuse, are usually asymptomatic and healing. A substantial proportion had metabolic risk factors, suggesting false positive cases.

Keywords: abuse; infant; metabolic bone disease; radiology; rib fractures

Learning points

  1. The case-series showed that a few infants presented with a popping sound, none had notes of admitted or witnessed shaking, none had pain, and physical examinations did not reveal any findings. Most had callus at time of diagnosis, no systematic radiology assessments of bone mineralisation were noted. Analysis of a metabolic panel was scarce.

  2. The register case-control study showed that rib fractures can be considered as incidental findings; for the cases, mainly from skeletal surveys to detect abuse, and for the controls through X-rays done for other reasons (neonatal morbidity, lower respiratory tract infections, major surgery, and accidents).

  3. Both the case-series and the register case-control study had risk factors for metabolic bone disease. The results indicated that there were false positive cases of maltreatment.

Introduction

A skeletal survey is recommended in the screening procedure for physical abuse. Symptomatic or incidental findings might be rib fractures, which are considered highly indicative of abusive head trauma (AHT) [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. The possible non-accidental trauma mechanism causing rib fractures has not been fully established [8], but the most common theory is thoracic compression when the infant is violently shaken [2]. Rib fractures, including multiple fractures, are rarely reported in association with birth, only in one case-series [9] and one population register study [10]. In both studies, the infants had concomitant clavicle fractures. In the case-series, the clavicle fracture was ipsilateral to the rib fractures [9]. Incidental cases of occult rib fractures have been reported from neonatal units [11], [12], [13], and in infants in critical care for congenital heart disease [14], and in association to physiotherapy [15], whereas rib fractures caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are rare [16]. Multiple rib fractures might occur in connection with severe thoracic trauma [17], and have been associated with metabolic bone diseases of infancy, such as nutritional rickets [18], vitamin D deficiency [19), Metabolic Bone Disease of Infancy (MBDI) [20], and osteopathy of prematurity [19], [21], [22]. Symptoms from rib fractures as part of severe thoracic trauma are dramatic (pneumothorax, haemothorax, pulmonary contusion, and lung lacerations or injury to mediastinum) [17]. However, specific symptoms of pain from rib fractures are rarely reported, whether in association with prematurity [22], [, 23] or during physiotherapy [15]. In one case-series, with rib fractures and clinical and medico-legal referrals, five out of 80 infants cried when they were picked up and, in three cases, parents had noted a popping sound [24].

We have previously shown that rib fractures in infants, before the age of six months, are associated with metabolic bone disease risk factors such as maternal obesity, male sex, being born preterm, multiple births, and diagnoses like rickets, vitamin D deficiency, and calcium metabolism disturbances [25]. However, that population register study did not address clinical history and findings among those with a maltreatment diagnosis, nor did it analyse rib fractures with or without a maltreatment diagnosis. To our knowledge, no previous nationwide study has addressed the care-seeking history, clinical presentation, or detection of rib fracture in infants. The objectives of this study were to describe cases of rib fractures in infants being observed for abuse or with a diagnosis of maltreatment by medical history, symptoms, clinical signs, and radiologic findings and to compare exposure of infants with rib fracture who have or do not have a maltreatment diagnosis.

Methods

Design

The design is a case-series and register case-control study.

Infants (1–365 days), born in the years 1997–2014 (N = 1,855,267), with a rib fracture diagnosis (Table 1) were identified in the Swedish National Patient Register (NPR) based on the 10th version of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-SE). Data were linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Registry (SMBR), Death Cause Register (DCR), and the Register of Children and Young Persons Subjected to Child Welfare Measures (RCWM), as previously reported [26], [, 27].

Table 1:

Definition of codes for diagnoses and accidents for the register case-control study, Swedish version of the International statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD10-SE).

CategoryDiagnosisCode (ICD10-SE)
Case definition
Rib fractureS22.3
Multiple rib fracturesS22.4
Infant abuse diagnoses
Observation for suspected abuseZ03.8K
Battered baby syndromeY07.9
Maltreatment syndromeT74.1
Neglect and abandonmentY06
Other maltreatmentY07
Other diagnoses
Retinal hemorrhageH35.6
Subdural hemorrhageI62.9, S06.5
Long bone fracturesS42.2, S42.3, S42,4, S42.7, S42.8, S52, S72, S82, T10, T12
Clavicle fractureS42.0
Thoracic injury (pleura, lung, bronchus trachea)S27
Superficial injury of unspecified body regionT14.0
RicketsE55.0
Vitamin D deficiencyE55.9
Osteogenesis imperfectaQ78.0
Accidents
Transport accidentsV01-99
Fall accidentsW00-19

An eligibility flow chart of the case-series and register case-control study is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Study eligibility flow chart of children born in Sweden 1997 to 2014 (N = 1,855,267) with rib fractures before the age of 1 year identified in the National Patient Register (NPR), Swedish Medical Birth Register (SBMR), Register of Children and Young Persons Subjected to Child Welfare Measures (RCWM) and Death Cause Register (DCR). Case-series identified by record review (n = 26), register case-control identified by ICD10-SE codes (n = 28 and n = 31). 1Among the missing records there were cases (n = 12) in the NPR having diagnoses of both maltreatment and rib fractures. 2Cases included in both the case series and the case-control study (n = 16). 3Cases with maltreatment diagnosis but not rib fracture diagnosis in the NPR (n = 10).
Figure 1:

Study eligibility flow chart of children born in Sweden 1997 to 2014 (N = 1,855,267) with rib fractures before the age of 1 year identified in the National Patient Register (NPR), Swedish Medical Birth Register (SBMR), Register of Children and Young Persons Subjected to Child Welfare Measures (RCWM) and Death Cause Register (DCR). Case-series identified by record review (n = 26), register case-control identified by ICD10-SE codes (n = 28 and n = 31). 1Among the missing records there were cases (n = 12) in the NPR having diagnoses of both maltreatment and rib fractures. 2Cases included in both the case series and the case-control study (n = 16). 3Cases with maltreatment diagnosis but not rib fracture diagnosis in the NPR (n = 10).

Case-series

Among 337 infants being observed for suspected abuse or with a maltreatment diagnosis (Table 1), for whom medical records were requested from the paediatric departments, 258 (77%) records were retrieved. Among the missing records, there were cases (n = 12) in the NPR having both diagnoses of maltreatment and rib fractures. Cases were those having rib fractures diagnosed by x-ray or chest CT (n = 26). Of those, 16 also had an ICD code for rib fracture in the NPR, while 10 did not. One case of rib fractures diagnosed solely by scintigram was excluded (Figure 1).

Medical records and written accounts of the radiologic examinations were reviewed for each patient. Digitalised radiology was not available. The following information was retrieved from the records: (1) reasons for seeking care, (2) symptoms, (3) local signs, (4) localisation, (5) number of fractures per child.

Specific information for rib fractures was: (a) one side or both sides, (b) localisation: posterior, posterolateral, antero-lateral, anterior/costochondral), (c) dating: 0–1 week (fresh), 2–4 weeks (“old”), more than 4 weeks (“older”).

Records were checked for any note on findings of abnormal bone mineralisation: (1) periosteal mineralisation abnormality (subperiosteal new bone formation [SPNBF]), (2) growth plate mineralisation abnormality, (3) ulnar cupping, (4) skull mineralisation abnormality, (5) rib mineralisation abnormality, (6) vertebral mineralisation abnormality, (7) looser zones [20].

For the 16 cases also found in the NPR (Figure 1), eight had the ICD-10 code Rib fracture (Table 1), and eight had the ICD-10 code Multiple rib fractures (Table 1), with the number of fractures being 3.6 and 5.3, respectively (T-test 0.385) (not shown in the table).

Records were checked to determine if blood tests had been taken and a metabolic panel had been performed.

Register case-control

The register case-control sample had data only from the health registers. Cases were defined as those having ICD codes for rib fracture and maltreatment in the NPR (Table 1). Controls were defined by selection as those with the same fracture diagnoses, but without a diagnosis of maltreatment. Seven of the controls were excluded, six had an entry in the RCWM, one was a homicide from the DCR (Figure 1).

Co-variates

Co-variates for the register case-control sample were: age at diagnosis (days), maternal age and parity, maternal weight class by body mass index (BMI) (underweight < 18.5 kg/m2, normal 18.5–24.9 kg/m2, overweight or obesity ≥ 25 kg/m2), smoker in early pregnancy, preeclampsia, mode of delivery, infants’ sex, gestational week, birth weight (g), and small-for-gestational age (<10%). Co-variates at time of diagnosis of rib fracture were: any neonatal morbidity, subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage, long bone fracture, superficial injury of unspecified body region, fall or transport accidents, and any major surgery (head, chest, heart, gastro-intestines, kidney, or ureters). Co-variates at time of or after diagnosis of rib fracture were: osteogenesis imperfecta, rickets, or vitamin D deficiency (Table 1).

Statistics

Descriptive statistics. Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fishers’ exact test, and T-test.

Ethics

The Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala approved the study (2014-11-19 No. 383). Register linkage was provided by the National Board of Health and Welfare. Approval for accessing medical records of those with a maltreatment diagnosis was obtained from the Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala (2015-11-18 No. 383/2).

Results

Case-series

We found 26 cases with rib fractures, based on the inclusion criteria (Figure 1). Median and mean age at diagnosis was 67 and 88.5 days, respectively (range 17–334). Five of the cases with rib fractures had subdural haemorrhage; one had retinal haemorrhage. The fractures were assessed as “old”, “older”, and “both callus and no callus”; one of these cases also had retinal haemorrhage.

Medical history

Out of all 26 cases, 16 (61%) were boys, three were born preterm, six were small-for-gestational age, and one was from a multiple birth. Four mothers had preeclampsia. Three had a vacuum extraction, and three had caesarean delivery. Maternal overweight/obesity was documented in nine out of 19. Two out of 20 were smokers (Table 2).

Table 2:

Maternal and birth characteristics of infants with rib fractures and maltreatment diagnosis (n = 26).

n, %
Mother
Age, years< 204 (15)
20–3421 (81)
35+1 (4)
ParityI18 (69)
II+8 (31)
Weight classUnderweight1 (6)
Normal9 (47)
Overweight or obesity9 (47)
Missing7
Smoker early pregnancyNo18 (90)
Yes2 (10)
Missing6
DiabetesNo24 (92)
Yes2 (8)
PreeclampsiaNo22 (85)
Yes4 (15)
DeliverySVDa20 (78)
VEb3 (11)
CSc3 (11)
Infant
SexBoy16 (62)
Girl10 (38)
Multiple birth1 (4)
Gestational week37+23 (89)
< 37d3 (11)
Birth weightNormal19 (73)
SGAe < 10%6 (23)

  1. aSVD: spontaneous vaginal delivery, bVE: Vacuum extraction, cCS: caesarean section, dGestational weeks: 25, 30, 32, eSGA: small-for-gestational age.

Reasons for seeking healthcare are shown in Table 3. One reason was carers’ concern about possible injury from fall accidents (n = 6). The majority of the cases had other reasons for seeking health care, with fractures being incidental findings (n = 20): pain or tenderness in legs (n = 4), plain abdominal radiography because of vomiting (n = 2), and abusive investigation protocol (n = 14) because of convulsions (n = 2), vomiting (n = 2), bruises (n = 3), subdural haemorrhage (n = 4), and dead twin sister (n = 1). In none of those cases did the infant have local pain symptoms from the chest indicating rib fractures. In three cases, carers had noted a popping sound from their child’s chest. There was no information on admitted or witnessed shaking of the infant in any case.

Table 3:

Reasons for health care utilisation and doctor’s physical findings in infants with rib fractures and maltreatment diagnosis (N = 26).

n, %
Reasons for health care utilisation
Local symptoms
Popping sound from the infant’s chest3 (12)
Pain from the chest0
Accidents6 (23)
Fall accidents4 (15)
Other accidents2 (8)
Incidental20 (77)
Convulsionsa2 (8)
Vomitinga2 (8)
Bruisesa3 (12)
Subdural haemorrhagea4 (15)
Pain or tenderness in legs4 (15)
Swelling/lump over the claviclea2 (8)
Dead twin sistera1 (4)
Plain abdominal radiography because of vomiting2 (8)
Doctor’s physical findings
Notes of popping sound/crepitation1 (4)
Notes of gripping marks, bruises, or swelling of the chest0
Notes of pain or tenderness at chest examination0

  1. aFindings from routine protocol because of suspicion of abuse.

Table 3 expands on the doctors’ findings. In 25 of the cases with rib fractures, there were no abnormal physical signs from the chest such as bruises, swelling or gripping marks noted by the doctor either before or after the X-ray. In one case, the doctor confirmed a popping sound with local crepitation. Results from analyses of blood tests in a metabolic panel are shown in Table 4. Results were available in less than half of the cases (n = 12), having not being performed in six cases, while no lab records were retrieved in eight cases. Tests of calcium and phosphate were all normal. Among 10 tests of alkaline phosphatase, eight showed elevated levels. Parathyroid hormone was elevated in one out of four samples. Vitamin D 25-hydroxy was low in one of three samples taken.

Table 4:

Blood tests in a metabolic panel in case-series of infants with rib fractures (N = 26; any testing, n = 12, no testing done, n = 6, missing lab records, n = 8).

Blood testReference rangeNormalHighLow
n
Calcium2.1–2.6 mmol/L121200
Calcium (ionised)2.2–2.7 mmol/L5500
Phosphorus (phosphate)1.3–2.5 mmol/L101000
ASAT (aspartate aminotransferase)< 1.2 μkat/L6600
ALAT (alanine aminotransferase)< 1.1 μkat/L4400
ALP (alkaline phosphatase)1.2–4.8 μkat/L10280
PTH (parathyroid hormone)10–65 ng/L, 1.6–9.6 pmol/L4310
Vitamin D 25-hydroxy> 50 nmol/L3201
Copper0.75–1.25 mmol/L1100
Magnesium0.7–0.9 mmol/L1100

Radiology

Table 5 shows the radiologists’ statements on the rib fractures. The 26 infants had a total of 104 rib fractures. However, in one case, only ‘multiple fractures’ was stated, not the number. The mean number of rib fractures was 4.2; those having a reported fall accident had a mean of 3.3. Eight cases had four or more fractures, six cases had only one rib fracture. Eleven were left-sided, seven right-sided, and seven were two-sided. The majority had a dorsal/dorso-lateral localisation. In 24 cases, callus, or not fresh fracture, was noted. Out of all rib fractures, 85 had callus or were described as not fresh. Dating was explicitly stated in 13 cases: fresh (n = 2), 2–4 weeks (n = 7), and more than 4 weeks (n = 4). Dating with a reported fall accident was: fresh (n = 1, three fractures), 2–4 weeks (n = 1), and more than 4 weeks (n = 2).

Table 5:

Radiographic findings in infants with rib fractures and maltreatment diagnosis in the case-series (n = 26a).

Mean number of fractures4.2
Localisation
Posterior5
Posterolateral8
Antero-lateral1
Not specified9
Side
Both sides7
Left side11
Right side7
Callus/not freshb24
Not specified1
Dating
Fresh (0–1 week)2
2–4 weeks7
More than 4 weeks4
Not specified13
Pleural findingsc5

  1. aIn one case, we only had access to the paediatrician’s record, not the radiologist’s statement. bOne case had rib fractures both with callus and without callus. cPleural reaction (n = 3), pleural fluid (n = 1), pleural haematoma (n = 1); fresh (n = 2), one diagnosed on day 43 in connection with a fall accident, the other diagnosed on day 17, born at gestational week 25.

In four cases, either a pleural reaction, fluid, or hematoma was noted. Of those, two had only fresh fractures.

Five cases also had clavicle fractures; all were healing. In three cases, laterality was stated for both clavicle and rib fractures. Of those, two had bilateral rib fractures, and one had only ipsilateral.

In no case was there radiologic signs of pneumothorax or haemothorax. Seven of the infants had metaphyseal changes described as corner fractures, bucket handle fractures, or cupping interpreted in the records as classical metaphyseal lesions (CMLs). Other fractures were three humerus, two radius, and one skull.

Assessment of bone mineralisation was scarcely reported. In six cases, subperiosteal new bone formation (SPNBF) was noted; one case had cupping. Assessment of growth plate mineralisation, looser zones, or mineralisation of skull, ribs, or vertebrae were not mentioned in any of the radiologists’ statements.

Out-of-home care

In all, 17 out of 26 were subjected to out-of-home care during a mean of 3.5 years with a range from 73 to 2,946 days. In four of the cases, the only finding was rib fractures. The other cases had fractures to the skull, radius, clavicle, or humerus. Four of the infants with rib fractures had a diagnosis of subdural haemorrhage; two of those cases had out-of-home care and two did not.

Register case-control

Table 6 shows data from the National Patient Registry. The sample had a mean age of 92 days at diagnosis and a median of 76 days. Cases and controls, in this sample, had a mean age of 82.6 days and 100.1 days, respectively, at diagnosis.

Table 6:

Register case-control study of rib fracture diagnosis in infants. Cases are those having a maltreatment diagnosis, and controls those with no maltreatment or assault diagnosis, nor a decision on out of home care. Source: National Patient Register. Pearson chi-squared test, Fishers’ exact test.

All (n = 59)Case (n = 28)Control (n = 31)
Mean (days at diagnosis)91.982.6100.1
 Median (days at diagnosis)76.070.096.0 
  n (%)n (%)n (%)p-Value
Mother
Age, years≤3452 (88)27 (96)25 (81)
35+7 (12)1 (4)6 (9)0.106
ParityI32 (54)16 (57)16 (52)
II+27 (46)12 (43)15 (48)0.795
Weight classaNormal24 (50)11 (52)14 (50)
Overweight or obesity24 (50)10 (48)14 (50)0.584
Smoker early pregnancyNo50 (93)23 (89)27 (96)
Yes4 (7)3 (11)1 (4)0.342
DiabetesYes1 (2)1 (4)00.475
PreeclampsiaYes4 (7)4 (14)00.045
Birth
DeliverySVDb38 (64)20 (71)18 (58)
VEc7 (12)07 (23)0.011
CSd14 (24)8 (29)6 (19)0.542
SexBoy46 (78)20 (71)26 (84)0.348
Girl13 (22)8 (29)5 (16)
Multiple birth7 (12)4 (14)3 (10)0.698
Gestational week37+46 (78)23 (82)23 (74)0.677
< 3713 (22)5g (18)8h (26)
Birth weightNormal50 (85)21 (75)29 (94)
SGAe < 10%9 (15)7 (25)2 (6)0.075
Birth weight > 4,000 g9 (15)2 (7)7 (23)0.150
Diagnoses at time of rib fracture
Neonatal morbidity day 1–76 (10)06f(19)0.014
Subdural haemorrhage9 (15)7 (25)2 (7)0.071
Retinal haemorrhage4 (7)3 (11)1 (3)0.337
Long bone fracture17 (29)15 (48)2 (7)0.000
Clavicle fracture7 (12)5 (18)2 (7)0.235
Any other thoracic injury000
Superficial injury of unspecified body region1 (2)01 (3)0.475
Lower respiratory infectionh6 (10)1 (4)5 (16)0.136
Major operation at time of rib fracture6 (10)4 (14)2 (7)0.051
Accidents at time of rib fracture
Falli12 (20)2j (7)10k (33)0.012
Transport2 (3)1 (4)1l (3)0.673
Diagnoses during infancy
Osteogenesis imperfecta2 (3)1m (4)1n (3)1.0
Rickets or VDDo5 (9)2p (7)3q (10)1.0

  1. aMissing (n = 11), bSVD: spontaneous vaginal birth, cVE: vacuum extraction, dCS: caesarean section, eSGA: small-for-gestational age, fNeonatal morbidity: extreme prematurity (n = 1), other birth-related fractures (n = 5), respiratory distress syndrome (n = 1), malformations of larynx or oesophagus (n = 3). e54 days after diagnosis of rib fracture, g1 case < 32 gestational weeks, hcases < 32 gestational weeks, hPneumonia (n = 2), bronchitis (n = 3), iAccident on day of diagnosis of rib fracture or < 7 days before this day, jFall from being carried (n = 2, kfall from being carried (n = 3), fall from furniture (n = 3), unspecified (n = 3). Other injuries: concussion (n = 2), skull fracture (n = 4), subdural haemorrhage (n = 1), liver injury (n = 1), no other injuries (n = 4) lSkull fracture, subdural and subarachnoidal haemorrhage, spleen injury, fractures of pelvis and spinal column, mOI diagnosed 34 days after nOI diagnosed 309 days after. oVDD: vitamin D deficiency p31 and 184 days after respectively, qSame day.

In all, including both cases and controls in this sample, 50% of the mothers had overweight or obesity, 78% of the children were boys, 22% were preterm born, 12% were multiple born, 15% had a birth weight of over 4,000 g, and 15% were small-for-gestational age. Four of the cases had mothers with preeclampsia. None were delivered by vacuum extraction and fewer cases than controls were born at less than 32 gestational weeks. At time of diagnosis, cases more often had subdural haemorrhage (n = 7), retinal haemorrhage (n = 3) and long bone fractures (n = 15), while controls at time of diagnosis more often had neonatal morbidity (n = 6), lower respiratory infection (n = 5) and considerably more fall accidents reported (n = 10). No other thoracic injury was diagnosed among the cases or the controls. There were both cases (n = 5) and controls (n = 2) with clavicle fractures. One case of superficial injury to an unspecified body region was noted among the controls, with none among the cases.

There were both cases (n = 4) and controls (n = 2) with rib fractures detected in connection with major surgery.

One case of osteogenesis imperfecta was diagnosed in each group, 34 and 309 days after diagnosis of rib fracture, respectively. Rickets or vitamin D deficiency were diagnosed for the controls at time of diagnosis of rib fracture (n = 3); for the cases this was 31 and 184 days after diagnosis of rib fracture and maltreatment, respectively (n = 2).

Discussion

We have shown that infants with rib fractures and an abuse diagnosis were very young, that fractures were often multiple, and that patients were usually diagnosed incidentally at a routine skeletal survey. Rib fractures were rarely associated with physical findings. Controls with rib fractures shared risk factors of metabolic bone disease with cases of abuse.

The present study confirms that rib fractures in connection with abuse diagnosis are found at young age [20], in parallel with AHT diagnosis [6]. We found a preponderance of males, young age, more multiple births, small-for-gestational age (<10%) and preterm born, both in the case-series and the register case-control study (both cases and controls), and bone fragility diagnoses in the register case-control study (both cases and controls), as previously reported [25], supporting an association with metabolic bone disease [13], [20], [25].

Rib fractures may occur during birth [7]. We have previously shown that rib fractures diagnosed among neonates have an association with difficult birth [10]; the register case-control study supports this, as the controls were more often delivered by vacuum extraction and there was a higher proportion of big babies among controls. It is possible that there were birth-related rib fractures in the case-series, but this could not be ascertained. Out of the three cases with concomitant clavicle fracture, one case had only ipsilateral rib fractures [9].

The majority in the case-series, 20/26, were incidental findings from routine skeletal surveys, i.e., occult and without symptoms; in only one case were there clinical findings confirmed before the X-ray. Most of the detected rib fractures in the register case-control sample, among both cases and controls, can probably be described as incidental findings. For cases, findings were often a result of a screening protocol for abuse (concomitant findings of subdural haemorrhage, retinal haemorrhage, and CMLs), for controls, as a result of X-rays for other reasons (neonatal intensive care, respiratory infection and accidents), and for both cases and controls in connection with major surgery, something not previously reported, to our knowledge. No bruises, swelling, or gripping marks were noted as physical findings in the case-series, whereas in the register case-control, one control and none of the cases had bruises. This is consistent with the present knowledge that rib fractures seldom give symptoms and may not be clinically detectable [1], [, 19], thus challenging the idea of a traumatic origin for many of the rib fractures diagnosed as abuse.

Twenty in the case-series had two or more rib fractures, eight cases had four or more fractures. Neither the findings from the case-series nor those from the register case-control support a severe traumatic cause of the findings in our samples, in contrast to when rib fractures are found in connection with severe thoracic injury [17]. Multiple rib fractures are reported to be more prevalent in association with an abuse diagnosis [4], but are also reported in association with metabolic bone disease [20], [, 24]. Our case-series had mainly posterior or posterior-lateral fractures, which have previously been shown to be indicative of abuse [4], [, 7]. However, this not confirmed in a recent systematic literature review [5]. Posterior rib fractures are also associated with metabolic bone disease [22]. We found a preponderance of left-sided rib fractures in our case-series, which has been hypothesised to be associated with greater force of torso compression exerted by a right-handed perpetrator [28].

The current study found that 11 out of 13 had healing rib fractures, which is in accordance with proportions observed in the past, being from 60 to 89% [7], [, 29]. This finding may be interpreted as an anomaly in relation to the proposed mechanism that violent shaking causes rib fractures, as cerebral symptoms of AHT are thought to occur soon after shaking [6].

Metabolic bone disease is in the differential diagnosis of rib fractures when there is no trauma reported. We have previously shown that metabolic bone disease risk factors are associated with rib fractures [25]. However, contrary to a case-series where periosteal mineralisation abnormality was found in 29 infants out of 55 having rib fractures [20], we found only six out of 26 had any note of abnormal mineralisation. One interpretation of this difference may be that in our study the radiologists did not include a systematic assessment of growth plate mineralisation, looser zones, and mineralisation in their reports [20]. However, in both the case-series and the register case-control study, risk factors of metabolic bone disease such as maternal overweight and prematurity were at hand, supporting the theory of an underlying bone fragility [25]. The link between maternal obesity and rib fractures could be a lower transfer of vitamin D to the foetus [30].

None in the case-series had any notes of admitted shaking or other abuse. This is in contrast to the suggested causal mechanism of rib fractures [2].

Considering the stated high predictivity of abuse for rib fracture, it might be unexpected to find an equal number of cases and controls in the Swedish setting. However, the majority of the rib fractures among the controls can be interpreted as incidental findings, i.e., occult fractures. Whether there were other circumstances supporting an abuse diagnosis for the cases, for example at time of diagnosis of a lower respiratory infection, major operations, or accident, cannot be ascertained with the register case-control design.

The majority in our case-series were subjected to out-of-home care, some with rib fractures as the only medical finding. The scientific foundation for a connection between rib fractures and abuse is considered to be solid [1], [2], [4], [5]; rib fractures have even been reported to have a positive predictive value of 100% for abuse [4]. However, methodological flaws, e.g., circular reasoning, might undermine the causality of violent torso compression and rib fractures [31]. A recent systematic review on rib fracture and abuse diagnosis with a critical approach to the choice of a reference test (reference group) concludes that there is insufficient scientific evidence to determine the diagnostic accuracy of rib fractures, as well as CMLs, being caused by abuse [32].

One fourth, both among those the case-series and among cases in the register case-control, had subdural haemorrhage and a few had retinal haemorrhage. Based on the rationale that subdural haemorrhage and retinal haemorrhage are independent of fractures, while each of these findings is also considered as highly indicative of physical abuse, the co-occurrence of such findings most likely placed these infants in the maltreatment category. However, although intracranial findings and ocular findings are indisputably independent of fractures, certain kinds of non-traumatic subdural effusions, such as benign external hydrocephalus with or without acute haemorrhage, are associated with retinal haemorrhage [33], [, 34], and infantile rickets is associated with all types of hydrocephalus [35]. Thus, it is possible that concomitant intracranial pathology, ocular pathology, and certain kinds of fractures have a common non-traumatic underlying cause in infantile rickets. However, investigating this was outside the scope of the present study.

The diagnostic process when having a finding of a rib fracture, whether occult or symptomatic, warrants improvement. Our previous [25] and present findings suggest that metabolic bone disease needs to be assessed. Biochemical markers for metabolic bone disease should be measured as soon as possible. In the case-series, only two thirds had any taken blood tests for a metabolic panel, with no uniformity in the biochemical testing ordered, which might be explained by such testing not being recommended in the screening protocol for maltreatment during the study period [35], [, 36]. Nor could a consistent profile of metabolic bone disease from blood analytes be seen, as previously reported [20]. One reason for this might be that biochemical markers for metabolic bone disease are quickly normalised after birth through micronutrient supplements [37], and Vitamin D supplementation [38]. However, in the case-series, three cases had a delayed diagnosis of OI or rickets/VDD in another entry in the register than when a diagnosis of abuse or suspected abuse was made, indicating false positives for abuse. The assessment from skeletal X-ray can be standardised [20] or digital X-ray radiogrammetry can be applied [39]; alternatively, investigations through dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or quantitative ultrasound (QU) might be of value.

Strength and limitations

The strength of the study is its national coverage and comprehensive case finding. We cannot exclude a detection bias in the case-series, as 23% of the records were not retrieved. The same may apply to the register case-control study, as there are some cases subjected to out-of-home care that do not have a maltreatment diagnosis; however, they were excluded from the register case-control analysis. A strength of the study was the combination of the two study designs – case-series based on record review and population-based register case-control – as the findings supplement one another. The record review indicates that a considerable part of rib fractures is not reported to the NPR. However, we do not believe that this would have significantly changed our findings in either direction. Quality aspects of the ICD coding hampered analysis. The ICD codes Rib fracture and Multiple Rib fractures did not serve to discriminate between single rib fracture and multiple fractures, nor is laterality part of ICD. A limitation of the case-series was that we had no access to the radiographs. A weakness of the register case-control study was that we did not have access to the clinical records of the controls. Further research is thus warranted: a case-control study of rib fractures with or without a maltreatment diagnosis, with full access to medical records, metabolic panels, and radiographs would provide more in-depth knowledge.

Conclusion

Rib fractures are primarily detected by skeletal survey due to suspected abuse or from X-rays taken for other reasons in young infants without clinical symptoms from rib fractures, which were usually asymptomatic and healing, i.e., occult findings. A substantial proportion had risk factors for metabolic bone disease, but only a few had a later diagnosis of rickets or vitamin D deficiency. The lack of systematic radiologic assessments of bone mineralisation and metabolic panels would suggest that there were false positive cases of maltreatment. The current data highlight the importance of evidence-based assessment when determining the cause of unexplained rib fractures in infants.

What is already known on this topic

  1. Rib fractures are considered highly indicative of abusive head trauma and a skeletal survey of the chest is recommended when abuse is suspected.

  2. The possible non-accidental trauma mechanism has not been fully established.

  3. Incidental findings of rib fractures are reported from neonatal units. Rib fractures are reported in association with metabolic bone disease of infancy.

What this study adds

  1. The case-series showed that a few infants presented with a popping sound, none had notes of admitted or witnessed shaking, none had pain, and physical examinations did not reveal any findings. Most had callus at time of diagnosis, no systematic radiology assessments of bone mineralisation were noted. Analysis of a metabolic panel was scarce.

  2. The register case-control study showed that rib fractures can be considered as incidental findings; for the cases, mainly from skeletal surveys to detect abuse, and for the controls through X-rays done for other reasons (neonatal morbidity, lower respiratory tract infections, major surgery, and accidents).

  3. Both the case-series and the register case-control study had risk factors for metabolic bone disease. The results indicated that there were false positive cases of maltreatment.

Corresponding author: Ulf Högberg, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85Uppsala, Sweden; and Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden, Phone: +46186115246, Mobile: +46703461327, E-mail:

  1. Research funding: None declared.

  2. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission. Conceptualisation, data curation and formal analysis: Ulf Högberg and Ingemar Thiblin. Writing – original draft preparation: Ulf Högberg. Writing – review and editing: Ulf Högberg and Ingemar Thiblin.

  3. Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.

  4. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.

  5. Ethical approval: Research involving human subjects complied with all relevant national regulations, institutional policies and is in accordance with the tenets of the Helsinki Declaration (as revised in 2013), and has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala approved the study (2014-11-19 No. 383). Approval for accessing medical records of those with a maltreatment diagnosis was obtained from the Regional Ethical Review Board in Uppsala (2015-11-18 No. 383/2).

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Received: 2020-03-26
Accepted: 2020-10-30
Published Online: 2021-02-25
Published in Print: 2021-03-26

© 2021 Ulf Högberg and Ingemar Thiblin, published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  2. Review Article
  3. Inborn errors of immunity and metabolic disorders: current understanding, diagnosis, and treatment approaches
  4. Original Articles
  5. Evaluation of hydration status of children with obesity—a pilot study
  6. Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin resistance and metabolic profile with pre-obesity and obesity in children
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  8. Karyotype is associated with timing of ovarian failure in women with Turner syndrome
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  11. Significant improvement in bone mineral density in pediatric celiac disease: even at six months with gluten-free diet
  12. Population-based waist circumference reference values in Japanese children (0–6 years): comparisons with Dutch, Swedish and Turkish preschool children
  13. Extended growth charts for Indian children
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  15. Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue therapy in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty/early-fast puberty: dynamics in adiposity indices, eating habits and quality of life
  16. Case Reports
  17. Transient benign hyperphosphatasemia due to COVID-19: the first case report
  18. ATP synthase deficiency due to m.8528T>C mutation – a novel cause of severe neonatal hyperammonemia requiring hemodialysis
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https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2020-0137
Keywords for this article
abuse; infant; metabolic bone disease; radiology; rib fractures
Creative Commons
BY 4.0

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Review Article
  3. Inborn errors of immunity and metabolic disorders: current understanding, diagnosis, and treatment approaches
  4. Original Articles
  5. Evaluation of hydration status of children with obesity—a pilot study
  6. Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin resistance and metabolic profile with pre-obesity and obesity in children
  7. Evaluation of Hemoglobin A1c before and after initiation of continuous glucose monitoring in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
  8. Karyotype is associated with timing of ovarian failure in women with Turner syndrome
  9. The role of makorin ring finger protein-3, kisspeptin, and neurokinin B in the physiology of minipuberty
  10. Brain MRIs may be of low value in most children diagnosed with isolated growth hormone deficiency
  11. Significant improvement in bone mineral density in pediatric celiac disease: even at six months with gluten-free diet
  12. Population-based waist circumference reference values in Japanese children (0–6 years): comparisons with Dutch, Swedish and Turkish preschool children
  13. Extended growth charts for Indian children
  14. Rib fractures in infancy, case-series and register case-control study from Sweden
  15. Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue therapy in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty/early-fast puberty: dynamics in adiposity indices, eating habits and quality of life
  16. Case Reports
  17. Transient benign hyperphosphatasemia due to COVID-19: the first case report
  18. ATP synthase deficiency due to m.8528T>C mutation – a novel cause of severe neonatal hyperammonemia requiring hemodialysis
  19. IgG4-related hypophysitis in adolescence
  20. Graves’ disease in a five-month-old boy with an unusual treatment course
  21. Oral sodium phenylbutyrate for hyperammonemia associated with congenital portosystemic shunt: a case report
  22. Severe multisystem organ dysfunction in an adolescent with simultaneous presentation of Addison’s and Graves’ disease
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