Shoulder Dystocia Death: Is This Baby Medical Condition Dangerous?

Shoulder dystocia refers to when both or one of the shoulders of a baby get stuck during vaginal birth.

The condition does not have any signs or ways to prevent it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is considered a medical emergency. While babies who are born with the condition are typically born safely, it could lead to serious complications for both the mother and the child.

The medical condition is quite rare. Since it could either be underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed, statistics vary widely. The rate may also vary depending on the baby's birth weight.

Shoulder dystocia has a prevalence rate of around 0.6% to 1.4% among babies born between 5 pounds, 8 ounces, and 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

This rate goes up to 5% to 9% for babies who exceed 8 pounds and 13 ounces upon birth.

Though shoulder dystocia has risk factors, anyone may experience it. The condition does not have any symptoms. There is also no way to predict its occurrence.

It can only be observed after the baby's head is delivered. The condition becomes apparent when the head of the baby goes out and then pulls back in against the area between the rectum and the vagina. This is called the turtle sign.

Some factors that could lead to shoulder dystocia include fetal macrosomia (baby weight over 8 pounds, 13 ounces), a pelvic opening that is very small, a wrong position of the baby, and when a mother is in a position that limits pelvis room.

In cases where the baby is very big or when the mother may have diabetes, a C-section delivery could be recommended.

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Complications of Shoulder Dystocia

Complications due to shoulder dystocia upon birth could end up affecting the baby and the mother.

For the mother, complications may include very heavy bleeding post-birth, severe tearing of the perineum area, rectovaginal fistula, uterine rupture, and pubic bone separation.

The most common complication for babies is brachial plexus palsy, which affects the brachial plexus nerves that run from the spinal cord in the neck and across the arm. These nerves are in charge of offering movement and feeling in the baby's hand, arm, and shoulder.

When these nerves are damaged, paralysis or weakness in the affected side may result.

Other complications of shoulder dystocia for babies include fractures in the baby's humerus or clavicle, horner's syndrome, which may affect the face and eyes of the baby, and a compressed umbilical cord.

In cases of a compressed umbilical cord, the cord could become trapped between the mother's pelvic bone and the baby's arm. When flattened, it may cut off blood and oxygen flow to the baby.

While this is extremely rare, it could lead to brain injury or even death if the oxygen deprivation is not resolved timely. Death due to shoulder dystocia is quite rare, making up just 0.35% of the infants who have the condition.