Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Although most birth injuries are mild and self-limited, others may be serious causing temporary or permanent neurological impairment. In this single centre, retrospective study we aimed to determine the presence and type of birth injury and related risk factors predisposing the infant to injury.

METHODS

We evaluated 123 newborns with birth injuries whom were hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit from January 2009 to December 2013. We classified birth injuries into five main categories such as fractures, soft tissue injuries, nerve tissue injuries, intraabdominal organ injuries and intracranial hemorrhage. Relationship between the presence of birth injury and predisposing risk factors such as maternal diabetes, multiparity, mode of delivery, gestational age and birth weight of the neonate were investigated.

RESULTS

During the study period, 123 infants out of 16792 (0.73 %) were determined to have birth injury. It is observed that birth injuries is associated with vaginal delivery and gestasyonal age more than 40 weeks. Injuries to soft tissues were the most common type of injury.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Despite recent refinements in obstetric techniques, birth injuries still remain an important source of neonatal morbidity and mortality. We predict that a significant reduction in the occurance rate of this dramatic clinical entity can be achieved if the clinicians recognize predisposing risk factors, ensure appropriate follow-up of high-risk pregnancies and determine appropriate mode of delivery.