Newborn clavicle fractures.

A prospective screening program of 9106 newborns identified 43 infants with clavicle fractures for a prevalence of 1 fracture in every 213 live births (0.5%). The fractures were equally distributed by right and left side involvement, and male and female sex. All fractures occurred during vaginal deliveries. None were breech presentation. Risk factors for fracture included large birth-weight, shoulder dystocia, mechanically assisted delivery, and prolonged gestational age. One in 11 newborns with a clavicle fracture also had a brachial plexus palsy.