Giving birth can be overwhelming at times as no one can relate to that disorientated feeling of yours or answer the questions you have. This sinking feeling further escalates if your newborn has developed a birth injury or health issue.
Since infant mortality rates are high in newborns and younger children, getting them treated and consulting professionals is crucial. Some major determinants of birth injuries are the lack of access to sanitary facilities, poor nutrition, unclean and unfiltered water, and ineffective medical treatments.
So, how can you take better care of your newborn without causing them any harm? Some basics to keep in mind while dealing with a newborn are:
Wash your hands and sanitize them before holding a newborn. They are more likely to develop an infection because of their weak immunity.
Hold them properly and put a hand beside their head and neck.
Do not kiss them near their mouth because they quickly attract germs.
Birth Injury Facts:
Birth injuries originate in the embryo and fetus, that is, in the prenatal period. The causes of these injuries are genetics, lifestyle choices, exposure to certain medications, chemicals, and infections during pregnancy.
Sometimes, birth injuries happen due to medical negligence, which is equally alarming and distressing for the parents. In such cases, it is best to take legal action and do justice to the newborn who is clueless about what happened to them. If you know someone whose baby has gone through a birth injury or defect, ask them to contact a birth injury attorney and handle the case for them. A professional lawyer will fight the case for the parents, and the victim will get the necessary compensation for their loss.
Giving birth to your baby suffering from a birth injury or defect is not only traumatic but disheartening for the new parents. However, the good news is that some of these congenital disabilities are impermanent.
Down below is a list of birth injuries and facts for your understanding.
HEAD INJURIES:
Blood outside the skull:
In this scenario, blood may accumulate above or below the dense fibrous covering (periosteum) that covers one of the skull bones. As a result, bleeding starts outside the skull bones.
Cephalhematoma (CH):
The blood drainage between a baby’s scalp and skull is caused by the ruptured blood vessel. Due to that, the blood forms a mass inside the skin of the scalp. Sometimes, cephalhematoma disappears in weeks or months, but it does not require any treatment.
Subgaleal Hemorrhage
This hemorrhage happens when the bleeding starts from right above the periosteum, causing blood to spread anywhere. It may even necessitate blood transfusion because of severe blood loss and shock. It may also result in blood clotting problems.
LIMB INJURIES:
Amelia:
Amelia is one of the main types of limb injuries. It suppresses limb bud development during the early part of the fourth week. Eventually, this limb injury results in the absence of the limbs.
Meromelia:
It is described as the disturbance in the growth of the limbs. It happens during the fifth week, which results in the absence of a part of the limb.
Additionally, limb defects are caused by genetic factors like chromosomal abnormalities associated with trisomy 18 and mutant genes. Some other factors involved are teratogens, alcohol, drugs, reduced quantity of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), and mechanical influences during intrauterine life.
Bifurcate Hand and Cleft Foot:
It is clinically called split hand/foot malformations (SHFM). It is characterized by the absence of one or more central digits (fingers and toes) resulting from the failure to develop one or more digital rays. The hand or foot is divided into two parts that oppose and curve inwards. It is an autosomal dominant abnormality with incomplete penetrance. It originates during the fifth to sixth week of development when the hands form.
Dysplasia of the Hip:
It happens when the hip bone’s acetabulum and femur’s head are still developing at birth, and the joint capsule is loose. Dislocation usually occurs after birth.
NERVE INJURIES:
They may occur before or during the delivery. Types of nerve injuries are:
Bell’s Palsy:
It is a condition that causes sudden paralysis of one side of the face, which causes mobility loss. It is also known as acute peripheral facial palsy with an unknown cause. The actual cause of this condition is unidentified, but it is a temporary problem.
Brachial Plexus Injury:
One of the least frequent forms of brachial plexus injury is “Neuropraxia.” It usually emerges whenever the neurons are compressed, stretched, torn, or ripped apart from the spinal cord. Other types of injuries are:
Erb’s palsy causes weakness and paralysis of the shoulder and elbow.
Klumpke’s palsy causes weakness and paralysis of the hand and wrist.
Phrenic Nerve Injury:
The nerve heading towards the diaphragm gets occasionally damaged, resulting in the paralysis of the diaphragm on the same side. In this situation, the affected child may have difficulty breathing and even require some assistance.
SPINAL CORD INJURY:
Spina Bifida:
In this type of injury, there is the partial closure of the vertebral column and the coverings surrounding it throughout early prenatal development. The lumbar region is the most frequent place where this condition occurs, although, in some exceptional instances, it could also be in the central region of the neck.
Spina Bifida occulta:
It has little to no mild signs and may contain a furry patch, a dark spot, a dimple, or the back might get swollen.
Myelomeningocele:
This term is also referred to as the open spina bifida, a terrible type of spinal cord injury. The causes of this condition are unknown, but exposure to viruses and lack of folic acid are possible factors to consider.
Children affected with a spinal cord injury face issues like:
- Difficulty walking
- Impaired intestinal control
- liquid built inside the cerebrum (pseudotumor cerebri)
- Permanently attached central nervous system.
- Latex allergy
Conclusion:
These injuries can be alarming for your baby, but regular prenatal check-ups can warn you about them. Also, you should never think twice before taking medical assistance, as professionals know the best treatment for such issues. Even after childbirth, one must take proper care of the newborns to stay safe and healthy.
