Birth injuries Flashcards
What are potential birth injuries?
Caput succedaneum
Cephalohaematoma
Facial Paralysis - typically associated with forceps delivery, returns to normal within a few months
Erb’s palsy - associated with shoulder dystocia and large birth weight
Fractured clavicle - associated with shoulder dystocia and large birth weight
What is caput succedaneum?
Fluid collecting on the scalp outside the periosteum
Occurs due to pressure caused by traumatic, prolonged or instrumental delivery
DOES CROSS suture lines
Will resolve spontaneously within a few days
Cephalohaematoma
Collection of blood between the skull and periosteum
Caused by damage to BVs in traumatic, prolonged or instrumental delivery
DOES NOT CROSS suture lines
Usually doesn’t need intervention and will resolve within a few months
There is a risk of anaemia and jaundice
