Sternal fractures in children: An analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank

Retrospective analysis of 3,160 pediatric sternal fractures from NTDB (2007-2014) shows 90% occur in adolescents aged 12-18, with median ISS of 17 and 8% mortality. Poor outcomes correlate with associated injuries, lower GCS, and hemodynamic instability rather than the sternal fracture itself, emphasizing need for comprehensive trauma evaluation.