Ribs

Rib fractures in paediatric patients usually result from static loading (compression) or dynamic impact loading (direct impact trauma to the ribs). In young children rib fractures are usually caused by static loading, while in mobile older children and in adolescents rib fractures are usually caused by dynamic impact loading. However, it should be noted that still there is no clear understanding of what forces and mechanisms of injury are exactly required to produce rib fractures. This is mainly because in vivo experiments in children are impossible. The information on trauma mechanism reflects what is accepted as plausible in medical science.This chapter describes the circumstances under which rib fractures occur before, during and after birth with emphasis on the difference between accidental and non-accidental (inflicted) injury.In addition, penetrating chest trauma is discussed, as well as diseases and normal variants that can simulate (healed) rib fractures.