Facts About Birth Defects and Injuries

Birth Defect Statistics

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States, accounting for more than 20% of all infant deaths. Of about 120,000 U.S. babies born each year with a birth defect, 8,000 die during their first year of life. In addition, birth defects are the fifth-leading cause of years of potential life lost and contribute substantially to childhood morbidity and long-term disability. Because the causes of about 70% of all birth defects are unknown, the public continues to be anxious about whether environmental pollutants cause birth defects, developmental disabilities, or other adverse reproductive outcomes. The public also has many questions about whether various occupational hazards, dietary factors, medications, and personal behaviors cause or contribute to birth defects.

Do you suspect that your child's birth defect is directly related to medical malpractice or another type of negligence? Are you currently seeking legal information regarding Delaware birth defect laws? If so, contact one of our experienced Delaware birth defect attorneys today!

Causes of Birth Injuries

A difficult birth or injury to the baby can occur because of the baby’s size or the position during labor and delivery. Conditions that may be associated with a difficult birth include the following:

• Large babies
• Premature birth – babies born before 37 weeks have more fragile bodies and may be more easily injured.
• Cephalopelvic Disproportion – the size and shape of the mothers pelvis is not adequate for the fetus to be born vaginally.
• Dystocia – difficult labor or child birth prolonged labor.
• Abnormal Birthing Presentation – breech deliveries (buttocks first).

Types of Birth Injuries

Forceps marks

Some babies may show signs of bruising on the face and head as the result of trauma passing through the birth canal and coming in contact with the mother’s pelvic bone and tissue. Forceps used in delivery can leave temporary marks or bruises on the baby’s face and head. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction may also have some scalp bruising or lacerations.

Fractures

Fractures of the collarbone is the most common fraction during labor and delivery. The clavicle or collar bone may break when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder or during a breech delivery. A baby with a broken or fractured collarbone rarely moves his or her arm on the side of the break. There may also be bruising over the broken bone. Simply immobilizing the arm and shoulder is the most recommended treatment and healing begins quickly.

Capute Succedaneum

Capute is a severe swelling of the soft tissue of a baby’s scalp that develops as the baby travels through the birth canal. The swelling usually disappears in a few days without problems. The most common reason for this is vacuum extraction.

Erbs Palsy/Brachial Palsy

Erbs Palsy/Brachial Palsy occurs when the bronchial plexus (which is a group of nerves that supply the arms and hands) is injured. It is most common when there is difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulder. The baby loses the ability to flex and rotate his or her arm. This injury causes bruising and swelling around the nerves, but movement should return within a few months. Tearing of the nerve may result in permanent nerve damage. The most common treatment is immobilization of the arm with a brace or splint. Special physical therapy exercises are also used to help return the range of motion to the arm.

Cerebral Palsy

Failure of a doctor to diagnose fetal distress resulting in birth asphyxia and brain damage often diagnosed as cerebral palsy.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

This is injury is the breaking of small blood vessels in the baby’s eyes. One or both of the eyes may have a bright red band around the iris. This is very common but does not cause damage to the eyes. The redness is usually absorbed in approximately a week to ten days.

Facial Paralysis

During labor or birth, pressure on a baby’s face may cause the facial nerves to be injured. Facial Paralysis also occurs with the use of forceps during delivery. This injury is often seen when the baby cries. There is no movement on the side of the face where the injury has occurred and the eye can not be closed. If the nerve was only bruised the paralysis usually improves in a few weeks. If the nerve was torn though surgery may be needed.

Do you suspect that your child's birth defect is directly related to medical malpractice or another type of negligence? Are you currently seeking legal information regarding Delaware birth defect laws? If so, contact one of our experienced Delaware birth defect lawyers today!

	Did You Know?
	Information Is Available On Birth Defects If your child has a birth defect, you should ask his or her doctor about local resources and treatment. Geneticists and genetic counselors are another resource. CDC can give you general information about birth defects. For other birth defects, you may contact one of many national groups. These groups have fact sheets or brochures or can direct you to support groups, where you can meet and talk with other parents of children with the same type of birth defect. Many support groups also have brochures and books to help you learn more about birth defects.