A broken collarbone during delivery, how did this happen to your baby? One common injury to newborns during childbirth is a bone injury. A bone injury can occur during a difficult delivery.
HOW DO THESE INJURIES OCCUR?
During the various stages of delivery, babies are typically connected to fetal heart monitors. When the monitor begins to indicate that the baby is in distress, doctors and nurses must act quickly to prevent the child from being deprived of oxygen or from being exposed to any maternal infection.
Often when the medical professionals must act with great haste, panic ensues. When panic starts, mistakes are made. One type of injury that can occur is a clavicle fracture. The clavicle is the medical term for the collarbone. The collarbone connects the chest to the shoulders.
The clavicle supports arm movement and provides for a full range of motion. Additionally, the clavicle protects nerve bundles (brachial plexus) for the upper limbs. A broken clavicle could mean the exposure of these nerves to injury.
FOR A BROKEN COLLARBONE DURING DELIVERY WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
The good news in most cases where the injured is a newborn is the injury will heal itself and fairly quickly. Babies are very resilient and often when they receive broken bones, the bones are able to heal quickly and properly, so long as the bone is properly set or splinted.
For a clavicle injury, the arm is immobilized to the chest for a few weeks.
The problem with an injury such as this in an infant is when the fracture of the clavicle damages the underlying nerves or when the fracture isn’t noticed and therefore not properly treated. Failure to not properly treat the injury could have a life-long effect on the child’s development and use of his/her upper extremities.
COULD THIS TYPE OF INJURY BE AVOIDED?
Many physical injuries to babies during childbirth can be avoidable. For instance, in this situation, the medical staff cannot rush, but still move swiftly and efficiently to deliver the baby. However, if the baby is rather large or “stuck” in the birth canal, the medical staff should move for an emergency C-section to free the baby without further risk of injury. When a child suffers a broken collarbone during delivery all of these issues will be investigated.
DID YOUR CHILD SUFFER A BROKEN COLLARBONE AT BIRTH?
To speak with me further about your child’s broken collarbone during delivery in Maryland this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and call me. The call is free and I would be happy to listen to your story.
I can be reached at 301-850-4832.
Boston Law Group, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle
Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
