Why are children more susceptible to lung injury without fib fractures?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Children tend to have increased cartilage content with incomplete ossification of their ribs when compared to adults. This makes their ribs more compliant and compressible, with pulmonary contusions without concomitant rib fracture more common in children. Reports also indicate that flail segments (paradoxical movement of the chest during respiration) also become more common in adults as ossifications occurs. In addition, the body wall thickness of a child is less than adults, making penetrating wounds to the thorax more likely to injure internal organs. Furthermore, the physiological differences between adults and children must also be considered. Young children are more prone to hypoxemia due to both a lower functional residual capacity and higher metabolic rate with increased oxygen demand.

Why Are Children More Susceptible to Lung Injury Without Fib