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Birth Injury

Birth Injury

What is a birth injury?

Occasionally during the birth process, the baby may suffer a birth injury. This is due to an unfavorable event that occurred during birth. This may also be called birth trauma. A birth injury or birth trauma refers to a wide range of injuries that affect the baby's body function or structure. The injuries can be mild to severe. They can result in significant damage or even be life-threatening.

What causes birth injury?

Birth injuries are more common when:

  • The baby is large

  • The baby is not head-first in the birth canal

  • The baby is born prematurely, or too early

  • The size or shape of the mother's pelvis or birth canal makes it difficult for a normal vaginal birth

  • Labor is difficult or very long, such as when contractions aren't strong enough to move the baby through the birth canal

  • The mother is very overweight

  • There is a cesarean delivery

  • Devices, like vacuum or forceps, are used to deliver the baby

What are some of the more common birth injuries?

The following are common birth injuries:

  • Swelling or bruising of the head

  • Bleeding underneath a cranial bone

  • Breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby

  • Facial nerve injury caused by pressure on the baby's face

  • Injury to the group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands 

  • Fracture of the clavicle or collarbone

Reviewed Date: 08-01-2023

Birth Injury

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.