Clavicle Fractures During Birth

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.