Common Types of Birth Injuries

While most deliveries occur without complications, sometimes things can go wrong, resulting in birth injuries. These injuries can range from minor, temporary conditions to severe, life-altering disabilities. Here are the most common types that occur and their causes. 

Brachial Plexus Injuries

Brachial plexus injuries occur when the network of nerves controlling the arm and hand is damaged during birth. This type of injury often happens when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder after the head has emerged, a condition known as shoulder dystocia. The severity of the injury can vary:

• Erb’s Palsy: The most common type of brachial plexus injury, where the upper nerves are damaged, leading to weakness or paralysis in the upper arm.
• Klumpke’s Palsy: A rarer condition involving damage to the lower nerves, resulting in weakness or paralysis of the hand and forearm.

Prevention: Proper management of labor, especially in cases where the baby is large (macrosomia) or the mother has diabetes, can reduce the risk. 

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone or posture, often caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. Birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) is a significant cause of CP. Other causes include infections during pregnancy, severe jaundice in the newborn, and brain hemorrhage.

Prevention: Ensuring proper prenatal care, monitoring fetal distress during labor, and timely intervention, such as performing an emergency cesarean section, can reduce the risk of cerebral palsy. 

Fractures

Fractures, particularly of the clavicle (collarbone), are among the most common birth injuries. These usually occur during difficult deliveries, especially when there is shoulder dystocia or when the baby is delivered breech (feet or buttocks first).

Prevention: Careful handling during delivery or performing a cesarean section if the baby is in a breech position or very large can help prevent fractures.

Caput Succedaneum

This is a swelling of the scalp that can occur in newborns due to prolonged pressure on the baby’s head against the mother’s cervix or vaginal wall during labor. While it may appear alarming, it typically resolves on its own within a few days. 

Prevention: Minimizing the use of delivery instruments, when possible, and monitoring labor progress to avoid prolonged or overly forceful delivery can reduce the risk of these injuries.

Intracranial Hemorrhage

Intracranial hemorrhage, a more serious condition, involves bleeding inside the skull. It can occur if there is trauma during delivery. Prompt medical attention is crucial in such cases. 

Prevention: Gentle handling during delivery, careful monitoring, and opting for a cesarean section in high-risk cases can reduce the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

HIE is a severe condition that arises from a shortage of oxygen and blood flow to the baby’s brain. It can lead to significant neurological complications and have long-lasting effects on a child’s development. 

Prevention: Preventing HIE requires careful monitoring of the fetal heart rate and oxygen levels throughout labor and recognizing signs of fetal distress promptly. 

If your child has suffered a preventable birth injury, we can help. Our New York birth injury attorney can discuss your legal options in a free consultation and ensure your child receives the justice they deserve.