Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation

Birth-related long bone fractures are rare but clinically significant events that require careful evaluation to distinguish them from fractures caused by underlying pathological conditions or non-accidental trauma. Their diagnosis and management have important clinical and medico-legal implications....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. Trabucco Aurilio, L. Fava, M. Chisari, M. Bolcato
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1589417/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849399319190306816
author M. Trabucco Aurilio
M. Trabucco Aurilio
L. Fava
M. Chisari
M. Bolcato
M. Bolcato
author_facet M. Trabucco Aurilio
M. Trabucco Aurilio
L. Fava
M. Chisari
M. Bolcato
M. Bolcato
author_sort M. Trabucco Aurilio
collection DOAJ
description Birth-related long bone fractures are rare but clinically significant events that require careful evaluation to distinguish them from fractures caused by underlying pathological conditions or non-accidental trauma. Their diagnosis and management have important clinical and medico-legal implications. A selective literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2004 and 2024, regarding incidence, mode of delivery, fracture location, time to diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Additionally, an original case report of a female neonate diagnosed with femoral shaft fracture on the third day of life. Neonatal long bone fractures can occur even in the absence of predisposing genetic or metabolic conditions. While they generally heal without for surgical intervention, timely diagnosis through appropriate imaging is crucial to ensure proper management. Failure to do so may expose healthcare professionals and institutions to potential medico-legal liability, both during delivery and in the immediate postnatal period. Preventive strategies should focus on careful prenatal risk assessment, adherence to best practices in delivery maneuvers, and early postnatal monitoring to optimize outcomes and minimize legal risks.
format Article
id doaj-art-cf6060bc90c84f00bb048b0329f9304a
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-858X
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Medicine
spelling doaj-art-cf6060bc90c84f00bb048b0329f9304a2025-08-20T03:38:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-08-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15894171589417Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentationM. Trabucco Aurilio0M. Trabucco Aurilio1L. Fava2M. Chisari3M. Bolcato4M. Bolcato5MESIT Foundation of Social Medicine and Innovation Tecnology, Rome, ItalyOffice of Medical Forensic Coordination, Italian National Social Security Institute (INPS), Rome, ItalyMESIT Foundation of Social Medicine and Innovation Tecnology, Rome, ItalyRodolico-San Marco Hospital, Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, ItalyNational Blood Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyBirth-related long bone fractures are rare but clinically significant events that require careful evaluation to distinguish them from fractures caused by underlying pathological conditions or non-accidental trauma. Their diagnosis and management have important clinical and medico-legal implications. A selective literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2004 and 2024, regarding incidence, mode of delivery, fracture location, time to diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Additionally, an original case report of a female neonate diagnosed with femoral shaft fracture on the third day of life. Neonatal long bone fractures can occur even in the absence of predisposing genetic or metabolic conditions. While they generally heal without for surgical intervention, timely diagnosis through appropriate imaging is crucial to ensure proper management. Failure to do so may expose healthcare professionals and institutions to potential medico-legal liability, both during delivery and in the immediate postnatal period. Preventive strategies should focus on careful prenatal risk assessment, adherence to best practices in delivery maneuvers, and early postnatal monitoring to optimize outcomes and minimize legal risks.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1589417/fullbirth-related fracturesmedical professional liabilityclinical risklong bone fracturemalpractice
spellingShingle M. Trabucco Aurilio
M. Trabucco Aurilio
L. Fava
M. Chisari
M. Bolcato
M. Bolcato
Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation
Frontiers in Medicine
birth-related fractures
medical professional liability
clinical risk
long bone fracture
malpractice
title Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation
title_full Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation
title_fullStr Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation
title_full_unstemmed Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation
title_short Birth-related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability: literature review and case presentation
title_sort birth related long bone fractures in otherwise healthy newborns and medical professional liability literature review and case presentation
topic birth-related fractures
medical professional liability
clinical risk
long bone fracture
malpractice
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1589417/full
work_keys_str_mv AT mtrabuccoaurilio birthrelatedlongbonefracturesinotherwisehealthynewbornsandmedicalprofessionalliabilityliteraturereviewandcasepresentation
AT mtrabuccoaurilio birthrelatedlongbonefracturesinotherwisehealthynewbornsandmedicalprofessionalliabilityliteraturereviewandcasepresentation
AT lfava birthrelatedlongbonefracturesinotherwisehealthynewbornsandmedicalprofessionalliabilityliteraturereviewandcasepresentation
AT mchisari birthrelatedlongbonefracturesinotherwisehealthynewbornsandmedicalprofessionalliabilityliteraturereviewandcasepresentation
AT mbolcato birthrelatedlongbonefracturesinotherwisehealthynewbornsandmedicalprofessionalliabilityliteraturereviewandcasepresentation
AT mbolcato birthrelatedlongbonefracturesinotherwisehealthynewbornsandmedicalprofessionalliabilityliteraturereviewandcasepresentation