Birth injuries and birth defects are often used interchangeably, but they describe separate medical issues with different origins, risk factors, and implications.
What Is a Birth Injury?
A birth injury occurs during labor or delivery. It results from trauma, oxygen deprivation, or complications that arise in the birthing process. Birth injuries often happen suddenly and are associated with events in the delivery room. Common causes include:
- Excessive force during delivery
- Failure to identify fetal distress
- Delayed emergency interventions
- Improper use of vacuum extractors or forceps
- Shoulder dystocia complications
- Prolonged labor or stalled labor progression
- Umbilical cord compression
- Oxygen deprivation leading to brain injuries
Examples of birth injuries include:
- Brachial plexus injuries
- Cerebral palsy linked to oxygen deprivation
- Skull fractures
- Nerve damage
- Facial paralysis
- Fractured collarbones
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Birth injuries may range from mild and temporary to severe and permanent. Many injuries can be traced to events during delivery, which makes timing a crucial factor in distinguishing them from defects.
What Is a Birth Defect?
A birth defect, also called a congenital anomaly, develops during pregnancy. These conditions form as the baby grows in the womb and are usually present at birth, although some may not be detected until later. Birth defects can arise from a variety of factors, such as:
- Genetic abnormalities
- Chromosomal disorders
- Environmental exposures
- Maternal infections
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Medication use during pregnancy
Examples of birth defects include:
- Congenital heart defects
- Down syndrome
- Spina bifida
- Cleft lip or palate
- Limb deformities
- Genetic metabolic disorders
Because birth defects occur during fetal development, they are generally unrelated to labor or delivery complications.
Birth Injuries Are Often Preventable
A critical difference between birth injuries and birth defects is that many birth injuries are preventable. They often occur because something went wrong during labor or delivery, and proper medical care could have reduced the risk. When a preventable error contributes to a newborn’s injury, families may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim.
Medical malpractice claims arise when a health care provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure causes harm. In the context of childbirth, this standard involves careful monitoring, timely intervention, and safe delivery practices.
Signs That a Birth Injury May Have Occurred
Some birth injuries are obvious at birth, while others become noticeable only after the baby begins missing developmental milestones. Recognizing the early signs helps parents seek medical attention quickly and understand whether the injury resulted from trauma during delivery. Common signs include:
- Unusual swelling, bruising, or abrasions on the head or body
- Weak reflexes or difficulty moving one arm or leg
- A limp or floppy appearance, or unusually stiff muscles
- Breathing problems, low oxygen levels, or the need for emergency resuscitation
- Seizures within hours or days after birth
- Difficulty feeding, swallowing, or latching
- Excessive fussiness, high-pitched crying, or signs of pain when touched
- Visible asymmetry in the face, limbs, or shoulders
- Delays in lifting the head, rolling, or other early developmental milestones
Not all symptoms indicate a birth injury, but these signs can reflect trauma such as nerve damage, oxygen deprivation, or fractures.
