Infant Complications Associated with Shoulder Dystocia

Too many things can go wrong during the labor and delivery process.  For doctors and parents, one of the most frightening emergencies is shoulder dystocia.  This type of birth injury happens when the baby’s head has been delivered, but the shoulder becomes stuck.

Shoulder dystocia only affects about 1 percent of births in the United States, but when you look at the number of babies born each year, it means that potentially 40,000 infants suffer from this birth injury annually (based on an average of 4 million births).  These figures prompt the question – why are so many babies sustaining birth injuries each year?  There are many reasons, including the misuse of vacuum extraction and forceps during delivery.

Infants who have suffered from shoulder dystocia often experience many complications.  They may develop Erb’s palsy or the life altering condition, cerebral palsy.  Babies with shoulder dystocia have also been known to suffer from clavicle fractures, hypoxia and brain damage.  Some young children have even died from this birth injury.

If your child has been diagnosed with shoulder dystocia, you need to talk to a medical malpractice attorney in Louisville who can help you get to the bottom of what caused your child’s injury.  Contact the law firm of Gray and White Law today at 502-637-6000 or 800-637-6033 for legal advice.