The one thing that many parents in Baton Rouge fear is their newborn child being injured during the birth process. Some birth injuries are linked to genetic medical problems like osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. Another example is arthrogryposis, a condition that affects infant’s joints — often those of both the arms and legs.
Congenital conditions occur during pregnancy, and they are already present when the child is born. In contrast, birth injuries are those that occur during the birthing process. These could include nerve, joint and bone injuries, often because of an awkwardly positioned baby.
The following are orthopedic injuries that are most frequently reported in newborns:
Collarbone or clavicle fractures
- The clavicle is the connection between the chest bone and the shoulder.
- Although these fractures seldom cause noticeable deformities, they cause pain.
- Collarbone fractures are the most common birth injury.
Erb’s Palsy or Brachial plexus
- The nerve group that travels down the arm from the neck is called the brachial plexus.
- Injuries to the brachial plexus occur when the infant’s arm and head is pulled and manipulated in different directions.
- When the brachial plexus is stretched, weakness can occur in one arm.
Growth Plate fractures
- Growth plate fractures can occur at birth or later.
- They involve the softer cartilage in the areas where rapid growth of bones takes place.
- Signs of such an injury include swollen areas at either end of the long bones in the legs and arms.
Thigh bone or femur fracture
- A fracture of the femur occurs when the newborn’s leg is twisted during birth.
- Typical symptoms include pain when the infant is moved such as during diaper changes.
Baton Rouge parents who believe their child’s birth injuries resulted from professional medical negligence can pursue financial relief through the Louisiana civil justice system by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
