Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2025

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

392

Chest wall bruising from 5-point car seat harness as a mimicker of child abuse

Jordan K Bui1, Pyae Naing2, Phillip H Cathers1

  • 1Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Pediatric Dermatology
|March 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Bruising in non-ambulatory infants is rare. This case highlights infant car seat harness bruising, a unique pattern that can inform medical history and appropriate care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Dermatology
  • Forensic Medicine

Background:

  • Bruising in infants typically indicates trauma, with non-ambulatory infants rarely exhibiting bruises.
  • The prevalence of bruising increases as infants become ambulatory or "cruisers."

Observation:

  • A healthy 3-month-old infant presented with asymptomatic, symmetric, bilateral bruises on the chest.
  • The bruises were located on the bony areas, sparing the sternum, and a work-up for non-accidental trauma was negative.

Findings:

  • The bruise pattern precisely matched the bilateral shoulder straps of a 5-point infant car seat harness.
  • This specific pattern of bruising in a non-ambulatory infant is uncommon.

Implications:

  • Recognizing this unique bruise pattern is crucial for accurate diagnosis in infants.
  • It aids clinicians in obtaining a more informed history, distinguishing accidental from non-accidental injuries.
  • This knowledge supports appropriate medical evaluation and care for infants with unusual bruising.

Keywords:
car seat bruisingchild abuse mimickernon‐accidental traumaunexplained bruising

More Related Videos

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact07:30

A Test Bed to Examine Helmet Fit and Retention and Biomechanical Measures of Head and Neck Injury in Simulated Impact

Published on: September 21, 2017

8.9K
A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury09:24

A Novel Vertebral Stabilization Method for Producing Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

Published on: January 5, 2015

17.7K

Related Concept Videos

Flail Chest-I01:24

Flail Chest-I

Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
184
Flail Chest-II01:26

Flail Chest-II

Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
169
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
267
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
998
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...
1.1K
Chest Physiotherapy01:24

Chest Physiotherapy

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) is a therapeutic technique used in respiratory care to improve ventilation, clear bronchial secretions, and enhance the efficiency of respiratory muscles. This therapy includes three primary procedures: postural drainage, percussion, and vibration. It can be performed on spontaneously breathing patients and those who are intubated and mechanically ventilated.
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
452