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When a birth injury occurs, complications in the labor and/or delivery process have caused injuries that can range from mild bruising to severe head injury and other trauma. A severe head injury can sometimes be very difficult to diagnose since external signs are often absent. Especially since an infant has the inability to vocally communicate, neurological damage can be more difficult to assess.
The number of babies affected by a severe head injury because of birth trauma is unknown because of underdiagnoses and underreporting, but some figures estimate for every 1,000 babies born in the U.S., five will suffer birth injuries. There are certain predisposing factors indicating a baby may have a greater risk of suffering birth traumas like severe head injury. A difficult birth can require more force and the need for more medical instruments to assist.
Severe head injury can be the result of improper medical techniques and improper use of medical devices like forceps or vacuums. In some instances, cutting off oxygen supply to the baby can cause severe head injury. Though complications can arise during the birthing process naturally, advances in technology have allowed doctors and medical staff the ability to better screen and monitor the conditions of both the mother and child so that measures can be taken to avoid risks and severe head injury.