During childbirth, babies are dependent on the careful delivery assistance of a doctor, nurse, or another medical provider. The fragility of their bodies makes newborns extremely vulnerable to severe birth injuries caused by medical malpractice.
Birth injuries are often associated with brain damage, like cerebral palsy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, there are other types of birth injuries, including broken bones.
How Newborns May Suffer a Broken Bone
Infants are not born with complete skeletal systems. Instead, there are many gaps in their skeletons that will gradually fuse in the coming months. As a result, children are born with more cartilage than we retain as adults. Cartilage is flexible and pliable, making exiting the birth canal safer for both the child and the mother.
However, simply having more cartilage does not mean a child is immune or even resistant to bone breaks. If a medical provider causes mechanical trauma, such as pulling too harshly on a limb or misusing a birthing tool like forceps, the child can suffer a broken bone. The likelihood of an infant bone break birth injury is even higher if the child has brittle bone disease or a calcium deficiency that was never diagnosed by an obstetrician.
Recovering from a bone break is difficult for adults, and likely all the more traumatic for newborns. For a bone to heal correctly, it must be set in place and experience minimal movement for weeks or months. Young children don’t sit still for very long, especially if they are in pain from the injury. The end result can be bone break birth injuries not healing properly and leading to lifelong complications and debilitations, like reduced mobility.
Common Types of Bone Fractures in Newborns
While newborns’ bones are more flexible than adult bones, they are still vulnerable to certain types of fractures during birth, especially in difficult or complicated deliveries. Some of the most common types of bone fractures that can occur in newborns include:
- Clavicle (Collarbone) Fractures: One of the most common fractures during childbirth, particularly when the baby is a larger-than-average size or if delivery requires the use of forceps or vacuum extractors. A clavicle fracture can occur when the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck in the birth canal (shoulder dystocia), causing excessive pulling during delivery.
- Humerus (Upper Arm) Fractures: This can occur if the baby’s arm gets trapped or pulled during delivery, particularly in breech births where the baby’s position increases the risk of excessive force being applied.
- Femur (Thigh Bone) Fractures: Though rare, femur fractures can occur, especially if there are complications with the baby’s positioning, such as breech presentation. These fractures can be painful and often require immobilization during recovery.
- Skull Fractures: Skull fractures are less common but can happen during difficult deliveries, particularly if excessive pressure is applied during the use of forceps or other tools. Skull fractures are particularly serious and may lead to other complications, including severe brain injury.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to ensuring the best possible outcome for the newborn. If a baby is suspected of suffering a fracture, doctors typically use X-rays to confirm the injury and determine the appropriate course of treatment, which might include immobilization, slings, or gentle physical therapy.
Signs Your Newborn May Have Suffered a Fracture
Recognizing the signs of a broken bone in a newborn can be challenging, as babies cannot communicate their pain. However, there are several key symptoms parents and medical providers should look out for:
- Excessive Crying: If a newborn cries when touched or moved, especially when handling a specific limb or area, it could indicate pain from a fracture.
- Swelling or Bruising: Any noticeable swelling, redness, or bruising around the affected area may be a sign of a fracture, particularly near the collarbone, arm, or leg.
- Limited Movement: Babies with bone fractures may refuse to move the affected limb or show signs of discomfort when trying to move. For example, a baby with a fractured arm may hold it close to their body and avoid moving it.
- Deformity or Abnormal Positioning: In some cases, a fracture may cause the limb or area to look deformed or misaligned. If a baby’s arm or leg appears to be in an unusual position or if there is a noticeable bump or protrusion, it could be a sign of a broken bone.
- Difficulty Feeding: For infants with a clavicle or skull fracture, the pain may make it difficult to feed, as certain positions can exacerbate their discomfort.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn after delivery, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Early detection and proper treatment are critical in preventing long-term complications and ensuring the bone heals correctly.
Call the Nation’s Trusted Name in Birth Injury Claims
Beam Legal Team is headquartered in Chicago but works with clients across the country who are struggling after their child suffered a serious birth injury. We are known among legal peers as steadfast advocates for the wrongfully injured who are capable of achieving amazing case results for our clients. One of our top achievements is landing the largest-ever birth injury verdict in Chicago at $53 million. Discover what our caliberof service can do for you by calling (866) 318-2670 or contacting us online now.
Originally published June 4, 2018.
