Collar bone fractures, also called collar fracture, are perhaps the most commonly encountered injury sustained by newborns in childbirth
A collar fracture, also referred to as fracture of the neck, occurs as a direct result of trauma or a difficult birth. Factors that will increase a high risk of a collar fracture include being quite small in size at birth, being very fragile in nature or being delivered by Cesarean section.
Collar bone fractures occur when the bone of the neck or head breaks off of its attachment to another bone or vertebrae. If the baby had a relatively weak skeletal system during his or her early development, he or she may develop osteoporosis later on in life as the bone mass gradually decreases. Sometimes, a child can also develop a collar fracture as a consequence of being overweight, which in turn may have a negative effect on their bone density.
Several factors can contribute to a fracture of the neck and one of the most common causes is an accidental fall. Infants are prone to falling due to their limited body weight during their initial stages of development and the result is a fracture of the skull, usually caused by a fall. The fall could be due to an accident with a parent, another sibling or caretaker or it could be a result of simple mishandling of the child by another person or child. In the latter scenario, parents should ensure that they do not make sudden movements or attempt to physically manipulate their child during this kind of accident.
Head injuries can also cause collar fractures. As previously mentioned, the skull is very fragile and can easily break into pieces if it is subjected to any kind of trauma. The child could be hit by an object such as a bottle, another sibling or caretaker or they could even be hit by an object while playing.
Any type of trauma to the jawbone, such as injury caused by a bruise or other form of broken bone, can also cause a fracture to the skull. Bruising can be caused by a fall, injury from another person or illness and the broken bone will form into a ball or lump. It can be very painful and if not treated quickly.
Sometimes a baby can get neck fracture after the baby is born of either sex. This is usually caused by an abnormality in bone growth that can lead to a hernia in a female child. A hernia often results in a crack in one of the baby's ribs, and then the ribs become exposed and visible through the navel. This situation is more likely if the mother has a baby girl. A child may also suffer from a hernia, even if the father of the child is not male.
Another possible cause of collarbone fractures is when a child receives a blow to the back of the head, usually from a parent or other caregiver. A blow to the back of the head can be fatal as it will severely damage the skull if left untreated.
Some doctors believe that children who are breastfed may be more at risk of a collar fracture. Breastfeeding is one of the main causes of fractures of the neck and a baby whose mother is not breastfeeding may develop a fracture if the baby is not fed. However, this can only be confirmed if further tests have been conducted.
Collar bone fractures can be very serious and can sometimes leave a child with limited or no mobility in their upper body. This can cause them to be unable to eat or drink, and they could also suffer from bruising around the affected part of their body. Some may have a feeling of weakness around the affected area.
It is important to remember that children who suffer from fractures or deformities should always be seen by a doctor so that a doctor can perform tests to ensure that there is no severe deformity or complication. and that the condition does not worsen.
If a child is suffering from any type of deformity or health problems, a doctor may prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to reduce swelling. or reduce the pain and bruising. The child may also need surgery to correct the damage done to the bones by a fracture. If these treatments do not work, then the child may require surgery or the use of splints on their legs.