Neonatal Clavicle Fractures

Diagnosis and Imaging

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a skeletal survey is generally not necessary for isolated neonatal clavicle fractures when birth trauma is the clear etiology, with varying levels of appropriateness based on infant age and fracture status 1
Ultrasound is the recommended follow-up imaging modality for neonatal clavicle fractures, as it provides radiation-free assessment of fracture healing and can detect consolidation earlier than radiographs 1

Initial follow-up ultrasound can be performed approximately 1-2 weeks after diagnosis, with additional follow-up determined based on healing progress 1
Parents should be reassured that healing will occur without medical intervention and without residual deformity, with complete healing typically occurring within 3-4 weeks 1

The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines state that for infants ≤10 days old with an acute clavicle fracture and no history of trauma (other than birth trauma), skeletal survey is of "uncertain appropriateness" 1
For infants 11-21 days old with acute fractures, skeletal survey is "appropriate but not necessary", and for infants <30 days old with healing fractures, skeletal survey is "appropriate but not necessary" 1