Revision - Birth Injuries & Congenital Infections Flashcards
What is the periosteum?
A layer of dense connective tissue that lines the outside of the skull and does not cross the sutures (see diagram).
What is caput succedaneum?
A diffuse collection of fluid on the scalp OUTSIDE the periosteum.
Does cross suture lines.
Prognosis of caput succedaneum?
Does not require treatment - resolves in a few days.
Cause of caput succedaneum?
Pressure on presenting part during delivery e.g. prolonged delivery, ventouse delivery.
What is a cephalohaematoma?
Subperiosteal haemorrhage which is bound by the periosteum –> does NOT cross suture lines.
Collects between the skull & periosteum.
Cause of a cephalohaematoma?
Caused by damage to the blood vessels during a traumatic, prolonged or instrumental delivery.
What is the most common site affected in cephalohaematoma?
Parietal region
What may develop as a complication of cephalohaematoma?
Anaemia & jaundice
Monitor bilirubin
How long does a cephalohaematoma last?
can last up to 3m
When does a cephalohaematoma present after delivery?
24-48h
What may occur to a cephalohaematoma in its resolution phase?
Calcification
What are the 2 key differentials for a cephalhaematoma?
1) Caput succedaneum
2) Subgaleal haemorrhage
What is a subgaleal haemorrhage?
This occurs between the aponeurosis of the scalp and periosteum and form a large, fluctuant collection which crosses sutures lines.
Why can subgaleal haemorrhages be life-threatening?
May cause life-threatening blood loss:
- pallor
- tachycardia
- hypotension
- shock
What is a craniosynostosis?
One or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant skull PREMATURELY FUSES, changing the growth pattern of the skull.
This can result in raised ICP and damage to intracranial structures.
Surgical intervention often required.
What is facial nerve paralysis during delivery often caused by?
Forceps delivery
What nerve roots are implicated in Erb’s palsy?
C5, C6 and occasionally C7 (upper brachial plexus injury)
Injury mechanism in Erbs palsy?
Traction injury due to excessive lateral neck flexion towards the contralateral side, or excessive shoulder depression, resulting in violent stretching +/- tearing of the upper portion of the brachial plexus
What nerves are injured in Erbs palsy?
(4)
1) Musculocutaneous nerve
2) Axillary nerve
3) Suprascapular nerve
4) Nerve to subclavius
Clinical features of Erbs palsy?
1) Loss of sensation over “sergeant’s patch”, lateral arm and lateral forearm.
2) Wasting of deltoid, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and the anterior compartment of the arm.
3) Loss of shoulder abduction and external rotation, elbow flexion, finger extension and wrist supination.