Spontaneous sternal fracture during labor in a healthy primigravida with female athlete triad: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

This case raises awareness of the diagnosis of sternal fracture during labor and obviates the need for lengthy, expense-consuming workup. This report identifies a subset of women who may be at higher risk for this pathology.

METHODS

Upon diagnosing and treating a patient who spontaneously fractured her sternum during labor, we reviewed previously reported cases and highlight key points of this entity.

RESULTS

We report the third case of sternal fracture during labor in a healthy primigravida with female athlete triad. After 12 h of labor, the woman underwent epidural placement. By 16 h, the cervix was fully dilated. During the second push in the chin-to-chest position, a healthy baby was delivered, but the mother experienced acute anterior chest pain. Tenderness persisted for three weeks. Plain radiographs confirmed the presence of the fracture, which healed spontaneously.

CONCLUSION

While chest pain during labor often results from serious causes including pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, and spontaneous pneumothorax, hyperflexion sternal fracture can occur, particularly in a woman with female athlete triad.