Birth injury refers to damage or injury to a child before, during, or just after childbirth. "Birth Trauma" refers specifically to the mechanical damage that occurs during labor (such as nerve damage and fractures).
The term "birth injury" can be used in two different ways:
- ICD-10 uses "birth injuries" and "birth trauma" alternately to refer to mechanical injuries during labor;
- The legal community uses "birth injuries" to refer to damage or injury suffered during pregnancy, during childbirth, or just after childbirth, including trauma-induced injuries.
Birth injury should be distinguished from birth defects. "Birth defects" refers to the damage that occurs when the fetus is in the uterus, which may be caused by genetic mutations, infection, or exposure to toxins. There are more than 4,000 types of birth defects.
Video Birth injury
Cause
Difficult Workers (Dystocia)
Delinquent labor, also known as stunted dysocia or labor, occurs when the child can not easily pass through the birth canal. This can result in fetal distress or physical trauma in children, especially broken clavicles and damage to the brachial plexus nerve. It can also block the oxygen boy because the cord is pinched, potentially causing brain damage or death.
Delinquent childbirth may occur due to an abnormally large baby (macrosomia), because the mother's pelvis or birth canal is small or defective, or because the baby is in abnormal presentation for birth (such as a breech presentation or transverse).
External Causes
Fetal malformations and birth injuries can occur as a result of exposure to environmental toxins such as mercury or lead. Many drugs can also affect the development of the fetus, such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
See environmental toxins and fetal development. See Drugs in pregnancy.
Genetic Mutation
Genetic mutations can cause a variety of fetal malformations, ranging from relatively mild cleft lip to severe and even fatal deformities.
Infection
Maternal infection may be transmitted to the fetus; this is called a vertically transmitted infection. The fetus has a weakened immune system, so a relatively small infection in adults can be very serious in the developing fetus. In addition, several studies have shown that maternal infections increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, in children.
Intrauterine Hypoxia
Intrauterine hypoxia, or lack of oxygen in the uterus, can cause serious brain damage to the fetus. This is most often the result of cord damage or malformation or placenta. Intrauterine hypoxia can cause brain damage, including cerebral palsy and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Maternal Health Problem
Certain maternal health problems can cause birth injury. For example, gestational diabetes can cause premature birth, macrosomia, or stillbirth.
Pregnancy Complications
Complications such as placenta previa, placental abruption, anemia, and preeclampsia may limit the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, increasing the risk of birth defects. Severe cases can be fatal to the fetus.
Maps Birth injury
Common Types of Birth Injuries
Brachial Plexus Injury
Brachial plexus is a collection of nerves that extend from the neck to the hand and control the movement of the arms and hands. Brachial plexus can be stretched and damaged during difficult labor. In small cases, the nerves heal and the full use of the hands and arms recover. In more severe cases, the child may suffer permanent nerve damage and may not fully use the shoulders, arms, or hands. Brachial plexus injury occurs in 1-3 children per 1,000 live births.
See Erbs Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy.
Brain Damage
Brain damage can be caused by a number of factors, including fetal malformations due to genetic mutations or toxic exposure, intrauterine hypoxia, or physical trauma during labor.
Cerebral palsy is one example of brain damage that occurs before or during childbirth; about 10,000 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.
Bruises
Difficult delivery can cause bruises, especially on the head and face, from pressure on the mother's pelvis or pressure caused by forceps or vacuum devices (see ventouse) used in shipping.
Bone Fracture
Bone fractures can occur during difficult labor. Clavicle fractures are the most common birth injuries.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Meconium is a sticky substance that usually forms the child's first bowel movement. If the fetus is pressed before or during labor, meconium may be released and may mix with amniotic fluid. If entering the child's airways or lungs, it can cause meconium aspiration syndrome. Serious cases can cause pneumonia or lung collapse.
Legal Issues
Birth injury may be unavoidable or they may be due to medical malpractice. When the outcome of legal claims, the case of a birth injury is part of a medical malpractice case. Legal claims from birth injury cases usually seek compensation for injury-related medical costs, including ongoing therapeutic and medical support for children.
To win in the case of malpractice birth defects, the plaintiff must point out (1) that the medical care provider owes the liability to the child, (2) that the medical treatment provider violates the duty by not meeting the accepted standard of care. , (3) that the child suffered an injury caused by a violation of the provider of medical care to the child, and (4) the child suffered damage from the injury. All four elements must be present in order for the plaintiff to win.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments