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Birth can be a very traumatic process for a baby and injury can be sustained during the labor and delivery. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Even though the spleen is located in a well-protected position in the body and a baby''s spleen has a thicker capsule than an adult, a splenic injury is one of the most commonly injured solid organs in blunt abdominal trauma. When a splenic injury has occurred, bruising of the abdominal wall in the skin and underlying muscles is a possible sign indicating the birth injury is present. Severe trauma to the abdomen area where the spleen is located can cause lacerations or bursting ruptures of the spleen. A splenic injury involving a rupture can be suffered alone or alongside a rupture of the liver.
The magnitude of a splenic injury depends on the severity of the force. Ranging from small superficial capsular laceration to near disintegration of the spleen, a splenic injury occurs more often when an enlarged spleen is present due to its increased vulnerability and fragility. The failure to immediately treat a splenic injury can result in death. Over the years, a decline in significant birth injuries reflects the advances made in obstetrics and the ability to reduce risks in difficult deliveries. Still, cases of splenic injury are still suffered.