ABSTRACT
In infants, one or more rib fractures may be identified as an incidental finding on a chest radiograph. In this situation they are extremely uncommon. They are more commonly identified on a skeletal survey performed for suspected physical abuse. Rib fractures may be identified anywhere along the length of the ribs. They most commonly result from squeezing, compressive forces applied to the chest. The fractures result from significant bending of the ribs during the course of squeezing and occur at the site of maximum distortion of the rib cage. Occasionally a crushing force may result in several fractures along the length of an individual rib and of adjacent ribs, resulting in a ‘flail chest’ with associated respiratory distress. In this situation the chest wall is no longer rigid and displacement of the ribs may occur.
