Healing of a bone fracture in the baby | Fracture in the baby

Healing of a bone fracture in the baby

Children/baby bones heal slightly different and faster than the bones of an adult. First, child bones do not shatter as quickly as those of an adult and second, child bones are still growing. Among other things, they are more elastic, more flexible and better supplied with blood.

Due to the fact that the bone metabolism in children is very good as a result of growth, bone fractures heal much faster in children. Due to the good blood circulation, cells are brought in faster and build up new bone tissue faster. In general, it can be said that the body’s own repair mechanisms often start much faster in children. Therefore, healing usually takes only between two and four weeks until the bones can be fully loaded again.

Collarbone fractures in babies

Collarbone fracture is the most common birth injury in babies. It usually occurs in connection with babies who are too large in relation to the average. In many cases it is a greenwood fracture, which is only detected during follow-up examinations by the pediatrician after birth.

The pediatrician then palpates a so-called “callus” (newly formed bone tissue) in the shoulder area. Very rarely, these are fractures that have shifted (dislocated). If you notice after birth that movements of the arms and shoulders are asymmetrical or that certain reflexes (Moro reflex) cannot be triggered on the same side, this leads to the suspicion of a collarbone fracture.

Broken bones in the womb

In healthy children, bone fractures in the womb are very rare and actually never occur. In the womb, the amniotic sac and the amniotic fluid in it provide the baby with optimum protection from shocks, vibrations and much more. The exception is a certain, hereditary disease.

This is called vitreous bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta). This is a connective tissue disease that mainly affects the skeletal system. The bones are less resilient and break at the slightest stress. In the most severe form of this disease, the bones can even break in the womb.