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Updated: Sep 7, 2025

International Expert Consensus and Recommendations for Neonatal Pneumothorax Ultrasound Diagnosis and Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis Procedure
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Published on: March 12, 2020

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Pneumomediastinum: A Rare Presentation of Inflicted Injuries in Infants

Adam Bajinting1, Adam Lee1, Abby Lunneen2

  • 1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.

Journal of Pediatric Intensive Care
|June 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Pneumomediastinum in infants can be linked to inflicted trauma, particularly oropharyngeal injuries. This finding highlights the need for clinicians to consider nonaccidental trauma in infants presenting with spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Pneumomediastinum is an uncommon condition in infants.
  • Reports linking infant pneumomediastinum to inflicted trauma are scarce.
  • This study investigates the association between pneumomediastinum and nonaccidental trauma in infants.

Observation:

  • A retrospective review identified three infants with pneumomediastinum and a history of inflicted trauma.
  • The mean age of affected infants was 4.6 weeks.
  • All infants underwent diagnostic imaging and a standardized nonaccidental trauma evaluation.

Findings:

  • Pneumomediastinum in these infants resolved with follow-up.
  • Literature review revealed similar cases associated with oropharyngeal injuries.
  • Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in infants may indicate inflicted oropharyngeal injuries.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider inflicted oropharyngeal trauma in infants with spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
  • Early recognition and evaluation for nonaccidental trauma are crucial.
  • This association warrants increased awareness among healthcare providers treating infants.

Keywords:
emergencynon-accidental traumapneumomediastinum

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