Rib Fracture In Children
What is a rib fracture?
Rib Fracture In Children Care Guide
A rib fracture is a crack or break in one or more of your child's ribs. Your child's ribs are the bones that connect from the front of his chest around to his spine (backbone). All of the bones of your child's ribs make his rib cage.
 |
What causes a rib fracture?
A rib fracture in a child is most commonly caused by car accidents. 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. Hard coughing may lead to a rib fracture because it causes muscles to contract or tighten.
What are the signs and symptoms of a rib fracture?
Your child may have pain, especially when he breathes deeply, coughs, or moves. You may see bruises around the area of the rib fracture.
How is a rib fracture diagnosed?
Your child may need any of the following:
- Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your child's chest to check for broken bones. 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 scan. A CT scan is an x-ray that uses computers to take pictures of your child's ribs. Your child's caregiver may use this test to look for broken ribs and for injuries to other organs. These may include the heart, lungs, spleen, and liver. Your child may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in an IV. The dye may help your child's caregivers see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (crab, lobster, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if your child is allergic to shellfish, or has other allergies or medical conditions.
How is a rib fracture treated?
Your child may need any of the following:
- Pain medicine: Your child may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you give your child his medicine.
- Deep breathing exercise: Ask your child to take a slow, deep breath. Have him hold the breath as long as he can and then exhale (let out his breath). Tell your child to do this 10 times in a row every hour while he is awake. Deep breathing opens the tubes going to your child's lungs. This exercise may keep your child from getting a lung infection. Your child can brace his ribs with his hands or a pillow while he takes the deep breaths to help decrease pain.
- Ice: Use ice packs to help decrease swelling and pain. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel. Place the ice bag on the fractured area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Do this for as many days as directed.
- Surgery: If many of your child's ribs are badly fractured, he may need surgery. Broken ribs may be held together with plates and screws. An injury to an organ, nerve, or blood vessel may also be treated with surgery.
What are the risks of a rib fracture?
Greater force is needed to break the bones of children than the bones of adults. This increases the risk of damage to the heart, lungs, diaphragm, liver, spleen, or other organs inside the chest. The jagged edges of a broken rib may cut or tear the lung or a blood vessel. This may cause bleeding inside your child's chest, or cause one of his lungs to collapse (deflate). Ask your child's caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your child's injury, treatment, or care.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.
Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
