Rib Fracture In Children
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is a rib fracture? A rib fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in one or more of the rib bones (ribs). The ribs protect the organs in the chest, such as the heart and lungs, by forming a cage around them. They also protect parts of the stomach, spleen, and kidneys. The ribs move as your child breathes. They go up when your child breathes in and move down when your child breathes out.
What causes a rib fracture? Rib fractures in younger children are uncommon because their ribs are still flexible. Children's ribs tend to bend, but not break. A rib fracture in a child is most commonly caused by car accidents. Often, the child victim is a pedestrian (walking) and is hit by a car. Child abuse is also a common cause of rib fracture. Bone diseases, such as rickets or osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), may also cause fractures in children. Rib fractures happen more often in teenagers who are playing contact sports, such as football or hockey. Harsh coughing, which causes muscles to contract or tighten, may sometimes lead to a rib fracture.
What are the signs and symptoms of a rib fracture? Your child may have pain, especially when breathing deeply, coughing, or moving. Your child may breathe shallowly. You may see bruising around the area of the rib fracture.
How is a rib fracture diagnosed? Your child may need any of the following:
- Chest x-rays: Your child may need chest x-rays to check for broken bones or other problems in his chest. Caregivers may also use it to see how your child's lungs and heart are doing.
- Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT or CAT scan. This is a type of x-ray that uses computers to take pictures of your child's chest. It can be used to learn how bad the injury is.
How is a rib fracture treated? Most simple rib fractures need no treatment. Your child will need to rest and may be taught special breathing exercises to help heal his ribs. Your child may need any of the following:
- Deep breathing exercises: This exercise should be done once an hour to keep your child from getting a lung infection. Deep breathing opens the tubes going to your child's lungs. Ask your child to slowly take a deep breath and hold the breath as long as he can and then exhale (let out his breath). Tell your child to take 10 deep breaths in a row every hour while awake. Your child can brace his ribs with his hands or a pillow while taking the deep breaths to help decrease pain.
- Ice: Ice packs may be put on your child's fractured rib to decrease swelling, pain, and redness.
- Pain medicine: Caregivers may give medicine to decrease your child's pain. Tell a caregiver if your child's pain does not go away or comes back after taking this medicine. Pain medicine can have side effects. Tell a caregiver if your child is very sleepy or has an upset stomach. Tell a caregiver if your child is allergic to any medicine.
- Surgery: Surgery may be needed to fix a rib fracture or complications of a rib fractures. Complications may include a blood vessel injury that may cause bleeding into his chest (hemothorax). Another complication may be a punctured lung, that has allowed air to escape into his chest (pneumothorax). A chest tube may be needed with bleeding or air in the chest.
Where do I find more information? You may contact the following for more information:
- American Academy of Family Physicians
PO Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
Phone: 1-913-906-6000
Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
6300 North River Road
Rosemont, IL 600184262
Phone: 1-847-8237186
Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.
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