A nuchal cord refers to an umbilical cord that has wrapped around a baby’s neck. It happens in roughly 10 to 29% of fetuses, and it may or may not have an adverse effect on newborns. However, it does increase risks of birth injuries, including those resulting from lowered blood flow and birth asphyxia, a form of oxygen deprivation.
Birth Asphyxia and Nuchal Cords
Although a nuchal cord cannot cut off all oxygen flow, a compressed, knotted, or prolapsed umbilical cord can reduce a baby’s oxygen supply, causing the baby to asphyxiate. Because a nuchal cord involves an umbilical cord wrapped around the neck of the baby, it can reduce blood flow to the brain, potentially causing brain damage.
Other Related Complications From a Nuchal Cord
Beyond birth asphyxia, nuchal cords can lead to many potential complications during pregnancy, labor, and beyond.
Short-term risks include:
- Meconium aspiration syndrome (inhaling fetal waste)
- Necessity of emergency interventions like C-sections
- Prolonged labor
- Low Apgar scores indicating fetal distress
Long-term complications can arise if the baby experiences significant oxygen deprivation. These include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral issues
- Seizure disorders
- Chronic health problems like respiratory issues
The severity depends on the degree of oxygen deprivation.
While a nuchal cord isn’t typically a fatal condition, it does increase the risk of disabilities and requires close monitoring and prompt intervention. Early detection and management are crucial to prevent or minimize complications.
Steps Healthcare Providers Can Take
When nuchal cords are detected through ultrasounds, medical professionals can take steps to prevent umbilical cord compression in the weeks prior to birth, or during labor and delivery. Nuchal cords are relatively common, and they can sometimes form, disentangle, and reform. However, when it persists, it can increase risks of birth asphyxia and serious injuries, including brain damage, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities.
Given these risks, the standard of care is for doctors and nurses to monitor a baby’s heart rate using a fetal heart rate monitor, identify signs of distress, and intervene promptly and appropriately. This commonly includes performing an emergency C-section when necessary.
When Medical Professionals Fail to Take Appropriate Steps
When medical staff fail to monitor and identify fetal distress, or otherwise delay necessary C-sections and other needed medical interventions that a reasonable medical professional would have performed under similar circumstances, resulting injuries to a baby could be the result of medical malpractice.
In these situations, victims have a right to explore their options for pursuing birth injury claims. A lawsuit can help hold medical professionals accountable for providing substandard care, and liable for the damages families suffer. Available compensation may include emotional injuries and future medical expenses, among others.
We Can Help Hold Negligent Providers Accountable
Our Chicago birth injury lawyers at Beam Legal Team advocate for birth injury victims across the country, and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of families that experienced preventable injuries due to medical errors and malpractice. This includes cases involving birth asphyxia.
If you would like to discuss your child’s injuries and birth with a member of our legal team to learn if you may have grounds to pursue a claim, contact us for a free consultation.
Originally published July 25, 2017.
