Birth Injury Attorneys - ChildBirthInjuries.com

Types of Birth Injuries & Trauma

The process of labor and delivery in a medical setting may involve various degrees of squeezing, pulling and traction. When an infant's size or position in the womb complicates the delivery, the use of force by medical staff may lead to injuries such as tissue damage, fractures, or even hemorrhaging. The use of instruments such as forceps and vacuum extraction may further contribute to injuries suffered by the fetus. A cesarean delivery (c-section) can provide an alternative to vaginal delivery; however, it does not necessarily guarantee a problem-free birth.

Some of the possible types of birth injuries include:

Bruising, Lacerations or Forceps Marks

Forceps used to assist delivery can leave minor, temporary marks or bruises on the infant's head and face. When the vacuum extraction method is used, the infant may suffer bruising or other trauma to the scalp. In some cases, abrasions and lacerations may be inflicted upon an infant with instruments used during cesarean delivery. With these types of birth injuries, the infant is at risk for infection, so all wounds must be cleaned carefully and treated with topical antibiotics. In rare circumstances, laceration injuries at birth may be severe enough to warrant sutures.

Facial Nerve Palsy

During labor or delivery, intense pressure on an infant's face may cause damage to the facial nerves. Facial nerve palsy, which results in lack of movement on one side of the face, is often seen when the infant cries. Since the facial muscles on the affected side are weak, the baby's mouth is pulled towards the "normal" side while crying. This type of birth injury is also referred to as cranial nerve or facial nerve palsy, and may include the entire side of the face from forehead to chin. If the nerve was just slightly bruised, this paralysis typically resolves itself in a few weeks. In the event of a torn nerve, surgery may be required to treat this birth trauma.

Fractures

Clavicle or collarbone fractures are common in birth trauma cases. When a baby is presented in a breech position, pressure on the clavicle while delivering the shoulders may break the bone. Infants who have suffered this type of birth injury are more likely to refrain from moving the arm on the injured side. A broken clavicle or collarbone may also cause bruising on the skin directly over the bone.

Caput Succedaneum

This type of birth trauma involves soft tissue swelling on an infant's scalp which results from fluid collection. Caput succedaneum is caused by the pressure of the fetus against the dilating cervix. It is more likely to develop in babies that are delivered by vacuum extraction. Infants with this birth injury may exhibit bruising on the scalp, which usually diminishes within several days.

Cephalohematoma

Cephalohematoma describes an area of bleeding between a bone and its fibrous covering. This type of birth injury typically appears shortly after birth in the form of a raised lump on the infant's scalp. In rare cases, cephalhematoma may cause an infection that leads to meningitis or osteomyelitis . Most cephalohematomas disappear within two to three months and do not represent a serious form of birth trauma.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is identified by bright red patches on the whites of a baby's eyes. This type of birth injury occurs when a small blood vessel near the surface of the eye bursts and bleeds. A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a common occurrence in newborns and does not cause serious damage to the eyes. This condition usually resolves itself within ten days or so.

Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis

Not usually detected at birth, this type of birth injury results in red-purple lesions and discolorations on an infant's limbs, face, torso or buttocks. It is usually related to a difficult labor or delivery. Subcutaneous fat necrosis itself is not harmful and requires no treatment. However, this disorder can sometimes lead to hypercalcemia, a complication which may warrant medication.

Brachial Palsy, or Erb's Palsy

Brachial plexus palsy, also called Erb's palsy, results from damage to the network of nerves that direct and control movement in the shoulder, arms, and hands. Approximately 1 or 2 babies in 1,000 suffer brachial plexus injuries at birth. Erb's Palsy is more likely to happen during difficult deliveries, when the passing of the baby's shoulders through the birth canal may cause trauma to the brachial plexus nerves. If afflicted with this birth injury, a baby loses the ability to bend and rotate their arm. Most cases of Erb's palsy resolve themselves within a day or less, and therapy is not necessary. Other, more severe cases of this condition may result in permanent nerve damage and lifelong impairment.
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Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the name given to a group of disorders caused by damage to the area in the brain that controls sensation, voluntary motor function and posture. CP can be caused by injury suffered during birth, or may result from later damage to the brain. Symptoms of cerebral palsy typically manifest in the first few years of a child's life and tend not to worsen once they appear. Infant prematurity, breech presentation and complicated labor and delivery are all risk factors for CP. Although this type of birth injury is not curable, proper management of symptoms can improve the quality of life for CP patients.
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If you think your child is suffering from a birth injury as a result of medical negligence, contact us.

The law limits the amount of time after a patient incurs an injury to file suit. The amount of time varies based on the theory of liability and the state in which the patient files the suit.