Fetal lacerations as part of the birth process generally manifest during c-section procedures, with more severe cases almost certainly being indicative of some degree of medical and professional negligence. While performing a caesarean section, it is intuitive that the use of surgical instruments during the birth process poses a risk to both mother and child. As such, over 97% of c-section procedures occur without any laceration-related complications whatsoever. Of those that do present complications to the child post-birth, fetal lacerations frequently present as minor lacerations requiring minimal post-operative care in the form of temporary sterile strips. However, in certain cases, fetal lacerations result in more serious trauma to the child.
Fetal Lacerations Causing Mid to Long-Term Trauma to an Infant
While fetal lacerations can occur potentially even a natural birth process, the reality is that c-sections pose the most risk to the infant. Specifically, c-sections performed under duress, or emergency situations such as unscheduled labor and emergent caesarean section procedures, statistically result in higher rates of serious fetal laceration complications. These risks appear to be statistically reduced to only a few numbers of cases annually in the case of elective c-section procedures with no precipitating factors that would result in the birth process being considered complicated by medical professionals.
However, in limited instances, moderate to severe lacerations do occur. These fetal lacerations mostly occur, although not exclusively, as a result of medical and professional negligence among medical professionals during childbirth. While performing the caesarean section (C-section), there is the possibility that physicians can cause injuries on the patient using medical instruments such as forceps, scalpels and others used in the medical procedures. In these instances, lacerations may require stitches or even some cases reconstructive surgery.
Fetal Lacerations Risk Factors
During the C-section delivery, there is always a looming risk of fetal lacerations. Some of the major risk factors associated with the procedure include:
- Emergency caesarean section
- Active labor
- Some of the delicate membranes maybe ruptured before the C-section
- Numerous uterine incisions that are a risk factor in the long run
Long Term Risks of Fetal Lacerations
Fetal lacerations most commonly occur the ears, the face and the head of the infant. Given the location, plastic reconstructive surgery may be required to mitigate the risk of permanent disfigurement in newborn patients. Medical research has established that some of the lacerations on the infant have far-reaching implications and even at times become a permanent problem in future. Some of the most common long-term problems of fetal lacerations are facial nerve palsy and bone fractures. Failure of medical professionals to identify these cases, or to adequately address any fetal laceration and ensure that the laceration is not merely a superficial injury requiring further intervention is generally indicative of medical malpractice
However, the future implications some lacerations which could cause lifetime injuries and even extend in effect size and effect over time are not always readily apparent. It is the responsibility of medical professionals to be aware of and respond to these risks. A common injury such as a brachial plexus has in the past been associated with;
- Clavicle and humerous fractures
- Erb palsy
- Klupke palsy
- Injuries on the cervical cord
From a long term medical perspective, fetal lacerations on the cranium have the worst effect in the long term. While lacerations on the cranium often disappear a few months after they happen, there are cases whereby such lacerations develop to jaundice. If left untreated, jaundice affects the normal operations of the brain and if left untreated sufficiently long, has been linked to cerebral palsy in newborn patients.
Fetal Laceration Treatment in General
Treatment of fetal lacerations is mainly dependent on how deep the laceration is in addition to the consideration of any additional medical condition that may develop as a result of the laceration. When addressing minor cuts, physicians commonly rely on topical adhesive tissues that are applied on the cut. However, the same procedure cannot be carried out for deeper cuts why physicians have to undertake what is known as suturing. Suturing is a medical procedure that involves stitching up a cut using a suture medical device. After the basics treatment procedures, a physician can prescribe oral antibiotics that are supposed to be given to an infant for anywhere between one month to three months. The purpose of the oral antibiotics is to treat any subsequent infection as a result of a laceration.
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