Causes of Birth Injury
Birth Injury Causes: Book Excerpts
Medical news summaries relating to Birth Injury:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Birth Injury:
Related information on causes of Birth Injury:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Birth Injury may be found in:
Causes of Birth Injury: Online Medical Books
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Low birth weight:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
This section lists some fetal and placental causes of low birth weight as well as the associated signs and symptoms pres-ent in the neonate at birth.
Chromosomal aberrations
Abnormalities in the number, size, or configuration of chromosomes can cause low birth weight and possibly multiple congenital anomalies in a premature or SGA neonate
For example, a neonate with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) may be SGA and have prominent epicanthal folds, a flat-bridged nose, a protruding tongue, palmar simian creases, muscular hypotonia, and an umbilical hernia.
Cytomegalovirus infection
Although low birth weight in cytomegalovirus infection is usually associated with premature birth, the neonate may be SGA
Assessment at birth may reveal these classic signs: petechiae and ecchymoses, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly, which increases for several days. The neonate may also have a high fever, lymphadenopathy, tachypnea, and dyspnea, along with prolonged bleeding at puncture sites.
Placental dysfunction
Low birth weight and a wasted appearance occur in an SGA neonate
He may be symmetrically short or may appear relatively long for his low weight. Additional findings reflect the underlying cause. For example, if maternal hyperparathyroidism caused placental dysfunction, the neonate may exhibit muscle jerking and twitching, carpopedal spasm, ankle clonus, vomiting, tachycardia, and tachypnea.
Rubella (congenital)
Usually, the low-birth-weight neonate with this congenital rubellais born at term but is SGA
A characteristic “blueberry muffin” rash accompanies cataracts, purpuric lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, and a large anterior fontanel
Abnormal heart sounds, if present, vary with the type of associated congenital heart defect.
Varicella (congenital)
Low birth weight is accompanied by cataracts and skin vesicles.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Cesarean birth:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The most common reasons for cesarean birth are malpresentation (such as shoulder or face presentation), fetal intolerance of labor distress, cephalopelvic disproportion ([CPD] the pelvis is too small to accommodate the fetal head), certain cases of toxemia, previous cesarean birth, and inadequate progress in labor (failure of induction).
Conditions causing fetal distress that indicate a need for cesarean birth include prolapsed cord with a live fetus, fetal hypoxia, abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, unfavorable intrauterine environment (from infection), and moderate to severe Rh isoimmunization. Less common maternal conditions that may necessitate cesarean birth include complete placenta previa, abruptio placentae, placenta accreta, malignant tumors, and chronic diseases in which delivery is indicated before term.
Cesarean birth may also be necessary if induction is contraindicated or difficult or if advanced labor increases the risk of morbidity and mortality.
In the case of a previous cesarean delivery, some physicians allow a subsequent vaginal delivery if the cesarean wasn’t classic or if the original reason for the cesarean no longer exists. However, vaginal delivery risks uterine rupture if the uterus is scarred.
The rising incidence of cesarean birth coincides with recent medical and technologic advances in fetal and placental surveillance and care. In the United States, 9% to 16% of all pregnancies terminate in cesarean births, rising to 17% to 25% in perinatal centers that handle high-risk deliveries.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Premature labor:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
The possible causes of premature labor are many; they may include premature rupture of the membranes (occurs in 30% to 50% of premature labors), preeclampsia, chronic hypertensive vascular disease, hydramnios, multiple pregnancy, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, incompetent cervix, abdominal surgery, trauma, structural anomalies of the uterus, infections (such as rubella or toxoplasmosis), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and fetal death.
Other important provocative factors include:
❑ Fetal stimulation: Genetically imprinted information tells the fetus that nutrition is inadequate and that a change in environment is required for well-being; this provokes onset of labor.
❑ Oxytocin sensitivity: Labor begins because the myometrium becomes hypersensitive to oxytocin, the hormone that normally induces uterine contractions.
❑ Myometrial oxygen deficiency: The fetus becomes increasingly proficient in obtaining oxygen, depriving the myometrium of the oxygen and energy it needs to function normally, thus making the myometrium irritable.
❑ Maternal genetics: A genetic defect in the mother shortens gestation and precipitates premature labor.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Rape trauma syndrome:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Rape isn’t primarily about sex. It’s a violent crime linked to feelings of rage or hatred in the assailant. Some of the cultural, sociological, and psychological factors that contribute to rape are increased exposure to sex, permissiveness, cynicism about relationships, feelings of anger, and powerlessness amid social pressures. Many rapists have feelings of violence or hatred toward women or sexual problems, such as impotence or premature ejaculation. They may feel socially isolated and be unable to form warm, loving relationships. Some rapists may be psychopaths who need violence for physical pleasure, no matter how it affects their victims; others rape to satisfy a need for power. Some were abused as children.
In the United States, a rape is reported every 6 to 7 minutes. The incidence of reported rape is highest in large cities and continues to rise. However, many rapes — possibly even most — are never reported.
Known victims of rape range in age from 2 months to 97 years. The age group most affected is 10- to 19-year-olds; the average victim’s age is 13½". About one in seven reported rapes involves a prepubertal child; most of these cases involve manual, oral, or genital contact with the child’s genitals by a member of the child’s family. More than 50% of rapes occur in the home; about one-third of these involve a male intruder who forces his way into a home. In about half the cases, the victim has some casual acquaintance with the attacker. Most rapists are between ages 25 and 44 and have planned the attack. Alcohol is involved in one-third of cases.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Low birth weight:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
This section lists some fetal and placental causes of low birth weight as well as the associated signs and symptoms present in the neonate at birth.
Chromosomal aberrations
Abnormalities in the number, size, or configuration of chromosomes can cause low birth weight and possibly multiple congenital anomalies in a premature or SGA neonate. For example, a neonate with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) may be SGA and have prominent epicanthal folds, a flat-bridged nose, a protruding tongue, palmar simian creases, muscular hypotonia, and an umbilical hernia.
Cytomegalovirus infection
Although low birth weight in this disorder is usually associated with premature birth, some neonates may be SGA. Assessment at birth may reveal these classic signs: petechiae and ecchymoses, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly, which increases for several days. The neonate may also have a high fever, lymphadenopathy, tachypnea, and dyspnea, along with prolonged bleeding at puncture sites.
Placental dysfunction
Low birth weight and a wasted appearance occur in an SGA neonate. The neonate may be symmetrically short or may appear relatively long for his low weight. Additional findings reflect the underlying cause. For example, if maternal hyperparathyroidism caused placental dysfunction, the neonate may exhibit muscle jerking and twitching, carpopedal spasm, ankle clonus, vomiting, tachycardia, and tachypnea.
Rubella (congenital)
Usually, the low-birth-weight neonate with this disease is born at term but is SGA. A characteristic “blueberry muffin” rash accompanies cataracts, purpuric lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, and a large anterior fontanel. Abnormal heart sounds, if present, vary with the type of associated congenital heart defect.
Toxoplasmosis (congenital)
The low-birth-weight neonate may be either premature or SGA and may have hydrocephalus or microcephalus. Associated findings include fever, seizures, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, and rash. Other defects, which may occur months or years later, include strabismus, blindness, epilepsy, and mental retardation.
Varicella (congenital)
Low birth weight is accompanied by cataracts and skin vesicles.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Asphyxia:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Asphyxia results from any condition or substance that inhibits respiration:
hypoventilation as a result of narcotic abuse, medullary disease or hemorrhage, pneumothorax, respiratory muscle paralysis, or cardiopulmonary arrest
intrapulmonary obstruction, as in airway obstruction, severe asthma, foreign-body aspiration, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and near drowning
extrapulmonary obstruction, as in tracheal compression from a tumor, strangulation, trauma, or suffocation
inhalation of toxic agents, as in carbon monoxide poisoning, smoke inhalation, and excessive oxygen inhalation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Rape trauma syndrome:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Cultural, sociologic, and psychological factors that contribute to rape include increasing exposure to sex, permissiveness, cynicism about relationships, feelings of anger, and powerlessness amid social pressures.
A rapist usually has feelings of violence or hatred toward women or sexual problems, such as impotence or premature ejaculation. He may feel socially isolated and unable to form warm, loving relationships. Some rapists may be psychopaths who need violence for physical pleasure, no matter how it affects their victims; others rape to satisfy a need for power. Some were abused as children.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Low birth weight:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
This section lists some fetal and placental causes of low birth weight as well as the associated signs and symptoms present in the neonate at birth.
Chromosomal aberrations.Abnormalities in the number, size, or configuration of chromosomes can cause low birth weight and possibly multiple congenital anomalies in a premature or SGA neonate. For example, a neonate with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) may be SGA and have prominent epicanthal folds, a flat-bridged nose, a protruding tongue, palmar simian creases, muscular hypotonia, and an umbilical hernia.
Cytomegalovirus infection.Although low birth weight in cytomegalovirus infection is usually associated with premature birth, the neonate may be SGA. Assessment at birth may reveal these classic signs: petechiae and ecchymoses, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly, which increases for several days. The neonate may also have a high fever, lymphadenopathy, tachypnea, and dyspnea, along with prolonged bleeding at puncture sites.
Placental dysfunction.With placental dysfunction, low birth weight and a wasted appearance occur in an SGA neonate. He may be symmetrically short or may appear relatively long for his low weight. Additional findings reflect the underlying cause. For example, if maternal hyperparathyroidism caused placental dysfunction, the neonate may exhibit muscle jerking and twitching, carpopedal spasm, ankle clonus, vomiting, tachycardia, and tachypnea.
Rubella (congenital).Usually, the low-birth-weight neonate with congenital rubella is born at term but is SGA. A characteristic “blueberry muffin” rash accompanies cataracts, purpuric lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, and a large anterior fontanel. Abnormal heart sounds, if present, vary with the type of associated congenital heart defect.
Varicella (congenital).With congenital varicella, low birth weight is accompanied by cataracts and skin vesicles.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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