Citation

Collins KA, Popek E. Acad. Forensic Pathol. 2018; 8(4): 788-864.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, National Association of Medical Examiners)

DOI

10.1177/1925362118821468

PMID

31240076

PMCID

PMC6491540

Abstract

Injury to a fetus or neonate during delivery can be due to several factors involving the fetus, placenta, mother, and/or instrumentation. Birth asphyxia results in hypoxia and ischemia, with global damage to organ systems. Birth trauma, that is mechanical trauma, can also cause asphyxia and/or morbidity and mortality based on the degree and anatomic location of the trauma. Some of these injuries resolve spontaneously with little or no consequence while others result in permanent damage and severe morbidity. Unfortunately, some birth injuries are fatal. To understand the range of birth injuries, one must know the risk factors, clinical presentations, pathology and pathophysiology, and postmortem autopsy findings. It is imperative for clinicians and pathologists to understand the causes of birth injury; recognize the radiographic, gross, and microscopic appearances of these injuries; differentiate them from inflicted postpartum trauma; and work to prevent future cases.

Language: en

Keywords

Birth injury; Birth trauma; Dystocia; Forensic pathology; Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; Neonate