Friday, June 18, 2010

Read About The Most Common Birth Injuries That Happen During Delivery

By Benjamin Baron

A birth injury refers to any damage an infant sustains during the birthing process. The majority of injuries acquired are unavoidable and usually take place while the baby travels through the birth canal. Common birth injuries occur for several reasons. Complications with premature births, the size of the baby, shoulder dystocia, the abnormal position of a fetus, and cephalopelvic disproportion can result in the baby being injured in some way.

During the birthing process the fetus can endure excessive pressure, which will result in bruising. This can happen if forceps are needed to change the position of the baby or for extraction. If the baby comes into contact with the pelvic bones it can also cause bruising to take place. Clavicle fractures often occur when the baby is in a breech position or if there is any difficulty in delivering the shoulders.

Nerve damage from pressure put on the face causes facial paralysis, but this condition usually corrects itself. If there is severe nerve damage then surgery might be needed to correct the problem. A cephalohematoma refers to a collection of blood under the periosteum and happens when the head of the baby is pushed through the birth canal. The periosteum is a tough tissue that covers bones, and the bleeding occurs when the small veins that provide the periosteum with nourishment are torn because of the force.

Brachial palsy and cerebral palsy are other common birth injuries that can occur. A baby can develop cerebral palsy if it is trapped for too long in the birth canal or if any distress signals are not picked up and treated. It can also develop if there is umbilical cord compression, occlusion or prolapse, and if the placenta is sheared prematurely. Tragically this irreversible condition affects the brain and central nervous system.

If a brachial plexus injury occurs the baby will suffer from brachial palsy. This injury happens when the nerves that supply the hands and arms of the baby are torn, causing permanent damage. It generally occurs when there is shoulder dystocia.

Newborns can suffer from subconjunctival hemorrhaging, which causes a bright red patch to appear around the irises of the eyes. This condition is also called red eye and does not require treatment. When infants develop extreme swelling of the soft tissues around the scalp while in the birth canal, they have what is known as caput succedaneum. This condition is generally brought on by pressure from the vaginal wall and uterus during delivery.

Common birth injuries also encompass other brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation and respiratory infections that result from the baby inhaling fecal matter or blood during birth.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment