A birth defect is something a child is born with and deviates from the typical or expected fetal development. For example, cerebral palsy may be caused by atypical development in the womb. In contrast, a birth injury is where an infant gets hurt during the birthing process, such as through excessive use of forceps by the delivery team. Some conditions (like cerebral palsy) may develop in the womb or because of an injury during birth.
Birth Defects
Definition: Congenital disabilities are when the baby has an abnormality or difference they are born with that may cause them to experience a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability as well as a health problem. They are also known as birth defects, congenital anomalies, or congenital abnormalities.
Causes: They can result from various factors, including genetic or chromosome problems, exposure to certain medications or chemicals during pregnancy, infections during pregnancy, or a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In many cases, the exact cause of a birth defect is unknown.
Examples: Congenital heart defects, spina bifida, cleft lip or palate, and Down syndrome are typical examples of birth defects.
Birth Injuries
Definition: Birth injuries refer to harm or injuries a baby experiences during labor or delivery. Wounds of this kind can range from minor, such as bruises or minor swelling, to severe, such as fractures or nerve damage.
Causes: Birth injuries are often the result of physical pressure, lack of oxygen, or trauma during the birthing process. These injuries can include complications such as prolonged labor, the baby’s position during birth, the medical team incorrectly using assistive devices (like forceps or vacuum extractors), or medical negligence.
Examples: Examples of birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries (such as Erb’s palsy), fractures (like clavicle fractures), cephalohematoma (bleeding under the scalp), and perinatal asphyxia (lack of oxygen).
Key Differences
Timing and Origin: Birth defects generally arise during the development of the fetus and are present at birth, often due to genetic, environmental, or unknown causes. In contrast, birth injuries tend to occur during the process of labor and delivery due to physical trauma or lack of oxygen.
Prevention: Prenatal care can help to prevent birth defects, such as through avoidance of certain substances and management of maternal health conditions. Birth injuries often involve factors related to the delivery process itself and may be prevented through careful monitoring and appropriate medical intervention during labor and delivery.
Legal and Medical Responses: Birth injuries may sometimes lead to legal action, mainly if evidence of medical negligence exists. Birth defects, given their often genetic or environmental causes, usually focus on early intervention, treatment, and supportive care rather than legal recourse. However, it may be possible that a physician’s poor advice may increase an infant’s risk of developing a birth defect and could give the parent’s the right to file a legal claim if that occurs.
Understanding the distinction between birth defects and birth injuries is crucial for medical diagnosis, treatment, and, in some cases, legal consideration. Both require specialized medical care and support to manage their effects on the health and development of the child.
To illustrate the difference between birth defects and birth injuries more clearly, here are some specific examples of each:
Examples of Birth Defects
Congenital Heart Defects: Conditions present at birth that affect the structure and function of the heart, such as ventricular septal defect (VSD) or Tetralogy of Fallot.
Down Syndrome: This is a genetic disorder that occurs because the baby has an extra chromosome 21, which leads to developmental and intellectual delays.
Spina Bifida: Spina bifida arises because of a neural tube defect that prevents the spine and spinal cord from forming properly, potentially causing physical and intellectual disabilities.
Cleft Lip and Palate: A physical opening or split in the upper lip and roof of the mouth (palate) occurs when facial structures don’t correctly form during fetal development.
Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that makes it harder for the lungs and digestive system to work properly, causing severe respiratory and nutritional deficiencies.
Examples of Birth Injuries
Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy): When doctors harm the brachial plexus nerves during delivery, it can cause the baby’s arm to become weak or paralyzed.
Cephalohematoma: This is where a pool of blood gathers under the newborn’s scalp, often resulting from trauma during delivery. It can be associated with the use of vacuum extractors or forceps.
Caput Succedaneum: The soft tissues of the baby’s scalp swell as the baby travels through the birth canal. Physicians often see this after labor and delivery involving vacuum extraction.
Fractures: Clavicle (collarbone) fractures are a common location of a bone break during birth, typically occurring during difficult deliveries or because of the use of forceps.
Perinatal Asphyxia: A condition where the baby doesn’t get enough oxygen before, during, or right after birth, potentially leading to various complications, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
These examples highlight the nature of birth defects as conditions that are often related to genetic, environmental, or unknown causes and are present at birth. In contrast, birth injuries are associated with the physical process of labor and delivery, including mechanical forces—like compression or traction—or oxygen deprivation. While prenatal screening detects some birth defects, birth injuries typically become apparent during or shortly after delivery. Both require prompt medical attention and, in many cases, long-term care and intervention to manage their effects on the child’s health and development.
The causes of birth defects and birth injuries are distinct, each involving different factors that contribute to their occurrence. Understanding the difference between them can help you identify potential risks and implement preventive measures.
Causes of Birth Defects
A combination of genetic, environmental, and sometimes unknown factors cause birth defects.
Genetic Factors: These include mutations in a single gene, chromosomal abnormalities (such as an extra copy of chromosome 21, which causes Down syndrome), and inherited conditions passed down from parents to children.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain chemicals, drugs, or infections during pregnancy can harm the developing fetus. Examples include alcohol, specific prescription and over-the-counter medications, recreational drugs, and diseases like rubella or Zika virus.
Maternal Health Conditions: The baby may be at a higher risk of developing congenital abnormalities if the mother has certain health conditions, like diabetes or obesity.
Nutritional Factors: Adequate nutrition is crucial for fetal development. Deficiencies in nutrients like folic acid can lead to neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida).
Unknown Causes: In many cases, physicians cannot determine the exact cause of the birth defect. It’s often a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
Causes of Birth Injuries
Birth injuries are usually related to physical factors or complications that arise during the labor and delivery process:
Mechanical Forces: The physical pressure and forces during labor and delivery, especially in a difficult or prolonged birth, can lead to injuries. This process includes the use of tools like forceps or vacuum extractors.
Oxygen Deprivation: Situations that compromise the baby’s oxygen supply during birth, such as umbilical cord problems, placental issues, or prolonged labor, can cause infant brain damage and other conditions.
Premature Birth: Premature babies are more vulnerable to injuries because their bodies are less developed and more fragile.
Large Baby Size (Macrosomia): Babies that weigh significantly more than average are at a higher risk for shoulder dystocia and other injuries during vaginal delivery.
Medical Negligence: Improper use of delivery techniques or failure to monitor and respond to distress signals appropriately can lead to birth injuries.
Maternal Factors: The mother’s pelvic shape and size, as well as her health during pregnancy, can influence the risk of birth injuries. For example, diabetes in the mother is associated with larger babies, increasing the risk of complicated deliveries.
In summary, birth defects are generally associated with genetic and environmental factors affecting the fetus during its development in the womb. In contrast, birth injuries are related to the conditions and events that occur during labor and delivery. Preventive strategies for birth defects focus on genetic counseling, proper maternal nutrition, and avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy. For birth injuries, careful monitoring of the baby and mother during labor, judicious use of birth-assisting tools, and timely medical intervention are critical preventive measures.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a birth injury due to negligence, you may need to contact Baltimore Birth Injury Lawyers, the Snyder Law Group. We will help you receive justice for your or your baby’s birth injury.