Common Birth Injuries

The Mitchell Law Firm of San Jose examines common birth injuries such as brachial plexus injury and how medical professionals can avoid injury causing lawsuits and litigation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a birth injury as impairment of a newborn’s body function or structure caused by adverse influences at birth.  Unfortunately, many adverse influences can occur at birth harming a newborn baby.  Injuries include brachial plexus injuries, fractures, cerebral palsy, and cephalhemotoma.  Some of these injuries will resolve on their own, but others may result in permanent damage.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

Brachial plexus injuries are the most common nerve injury in newborns.  These occur when the nerves connecting the spine to the head, arm, and shoulder are stretched or torn during birth.  Excessive force used during birth, prolonged labor, shoulder dystopia, and stretching the newborn’s neck are all causes of brachial plexus injuries.  Minor brachial plexus injuries may resolve on their own, but more serious injuries can require surgery, grafting, and physical therapy.  The most serious brachial plexus injuries result in permanent paralysis of the affected areas.

Clavicle Fractures at Birth

Fractures can occur during the birthing process.  Clavicle fractures are the most common newborn injury, and arm fractures can result when delivering the baby’s shoulders. Long bone fractures can occur when the medical professional rotates the baby’s arm or leg during delivery.  Large babies and forceful delivery contribute to the potential for birth fractures.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy can occur before, during, or after birth.  Many things cause cerebral palsy including premature birth, jaundice, and lack of oxygen, head injuries, and delivery complications.  Disability associated with cerebral palsy ranges to the very mild to total incapacitation. Cerebral palsy can affect movement, posture, swallowing, coordination, talking, bowel and bladder function, eating, and breathing.

Cephalhemotoma

Cephalhemotoma is caused by ruptured blood vessels in the skull.  This swelling can be caused by the use of forceps or vacuums during birth, and is associated with jaundice and anemia.

Many of these injuries can be avoided if the medical professional carefully monitors the mother and baby during birth.  Additionally, careful monitoring of the infant’s size as it develops in the womb and the mother’s health as the pregnancy progresses can limit some of these injuries.  Finally, careful planning and behavior by the medical professional during birthing can minimize the possibility of these injuries.

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