Common Birth Injury Terms | ChildRC: Common Types of Birth Injuries | ChildRC

Does My Child Have A Birth Injury?

Home > Birth Injury Information > Glossary of Birth Injury Terms

Glossary of Birth Injury Terms

The following is a list of common terms and phrases used when discussing birth injuries:

If you can’t find a term you’d like us to define or have questions on birth injuries, contact one of our nurses. We’re here to answer your questions.

Apgar score: A method used to evaluate the physical condition of a newborn immediately after delivery. Apgar scores can range from 0-10 and the “other factor” that is assessed is called grimace. Newborn are given scores at one and five minutes of age and can often be reported as 9/9 (read: 9 and 9) or 0/4 (read: zero and four), etc. Babies with Apgar scores under 5 at five minutes are scored again at 10 minutes (and so on and so on….. every five minutes until the score is greater than 5). This information provides the resuscitation team guidance in management of the resuscitation.

Ataxia: Lack of physical coordination and poor depth perception that is often related to a neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy.

Avulsion: The least common and most severe type of Erb’s palsy injury in which the nerve is torn from the spine.

Birth asphyxia: A general term used to describe lack of oxygen to an infant before, during or immediately following childbirth.

Brachial plexus: A network of nerves in the neck that supply feeling and control to the shoulder and arms. This may be stretched or torn during childbirth, resulting in a loss of movement and feeling in the arm, hand and fingers. This condition is called Erb's palsy or brachial plexus palsy.

Breech presentation: Breech presentation is ANY presentation other than head first (vertex) head first – could be a foot, both feet, buttocks, knees, etc. Babies in breech presentation may be more likely to have cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy: Cerebral palsy is the outward manifestations of a particular type of birth injury in a child who suffered an interruption in oxygenation to the brain in utero, during delivery, or in the minutes and hours after delivery. It is non-progressive and affects the development of fine and gross motor skills. It also affects cognitive development/learning ability.

Cesarean Section (C-section): An alternate method of childbirth which involves the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the mother’s belly and uterus. A C-section is typically used when problems arise during labor and a vaginal delivery is considered to pose a risk to the mother and infant.

Chorea: Continuous, "jerky" involuntary body movements that are associated with cerebral palsy.

Co-counsel: An attorney who assists with a case and shares the responsibility of providing legal representation to a client.

Cognitive functions: The mental processes involving thought, perception and memory that can be affected by injuries sustained during childbirth.

CT (Computerized Topography) scan: A test that evaluates the brain for abnormalities to determine the origin of cerebral palsy.

Dysarthria: A speech disorder that often affects those with cerebral palsy, characterized by a weakness in the facial muscles that produce speech.

Dystonia: A condition involving abnormal muscle tone that causes involuntary body movements such as twisting, tremors and abnormal posture. Dystonia is frequently present in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Erb's palsy: A condition in which a stretch injury to a network of nerves in the neck, known as the brachial plexus, results in a loss of movement and feeling in the arm, hand and fingers. Most cases of Erb's palsy are the result of birth injuries that happen during labor and delivery.

Fetal distress: Signs appearing during pregnancy, labor or childbirth that indicate the fetus is not well and may have suffered injury. Signs of fetal distress include decreased movement, meconium in the amniotic fluid, and decreased fetal heart rate.

Forceps: Smooth, spoon-like metal instruments that are applied to the sides of a baby’s head to help guide it out of the birth canal during delivery. Forceps are used to facilitate a vaginal delivery when the baby is not making a steady progression down the birth canal.

Gait: A manner of walking which can provide clues to the existence of certain medical conditions, including cerebral palsy.

Hypertonia: Increased muscle tone in a newborn infant, causing it to appear stiff or rigid. Hypertonia is often an early sign of cerebral palsy, a serious birth injury.

Hypotonia: Decreased muscle tone in a newborn, resulting in a "floppy" or relaxed appearance. This is often an early indication of cerebral palsy.

IEP (Individual Education Plan): A legally binding document that outlines a child’s learning and physical limitations along with steps that must be taken to ensure his success in school. The IEP helps teachers understand a child’s unique learning impairment and needs so they can provide an education that will prepare him for productive and independent living.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH): A condition that involves excessive bleeding inside or around the spaces in the brain (ventricles) that contain cerebral spinal fluid. IVH occurs most frequently in premature infants, particularly babies that weigh less than 3.4 pounds.

Malnutrition: A condition in which a person’s intake of nutrients is not enough to support proper functioning in everyday life. Malnutrition may result from an inadequate intake of calories, the lack of a particular nutrient, or an inability to properly digest or absorb nutrients from food. Since they often have feeding issues, children with cerebral palsy are especially susceptible to malnutrition and related problems.

Medical malpractice: a negligent act or omission by a professional health care provider which causes injury to a patient.

Moro reflex: A reflex exhibited by a newborn that involves extending its arms when held on its back and tilted backwards so that its legs are above its head. Infants with cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders tend to retain this reflex for a prolonged period of time, beyond 5 months of age. Also known as the "startle reflex".

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan: A special radiology scan that uses magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed images of internal structures, such as the brain. Used to detect abnormalities in the brain.

Neurapraxia: The most common type of an Erb’s palsy birth injury in which the nerve has been damaged but not torn.

Neuroma: Scar tissue that grows around an Erb’s palsy birth injury, putting pressure on the injured nerve and disrupting its ability to send signals to the muscles.

Orthopedic specialist: A health care provider that specializes in treating disorders involving the bones, muscles, joints, and tendons.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN): a serious, often fatal condition that affects newborn babies. PPHN limits the amount of blood flowing to an infant's lungs and the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream. This condition typically involves severe respiratory failure and requires immediate treatment.

Physical therapy: A form of treatment that uses therapeutic exercises and equipment to help individuals regain physical function and skills. Physical therapy may be used to rehabilitate children suffering from cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy or other birth injuries.

Rupture: A type of Erb’s palsy birth injury that occurs when the nerve is torn but not separated from the spinal column.

SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor): A class of drugs used to treat depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. SSRIs work by blocking receptors in the brain that absorb serotonin, a chemical that is thought to affect mood. Commonly prescribed SSRIs include Zoloft, Prozac and Lexapro.

Seizure: A physical convulsion or combination of several physical symptoms resulting from uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Seizures may affect some individuals with cerebral palsy and other types of brain-related birth injuries.

Shoulder dystocia: A condition in which normal vaginal delivery is hindered due to the baby's shoulder being wedged behind the mother's pubic bone. Shoulder dystocia occurs in approximately 0.5 to 1.0 percent of all deliveries, or about 20,000 births each year. The tactics used to get the infant out of this position can lead to serious birth injuries or even fetal death.

Torticollis: A state of poor muscle tone in the neck muscles that control the head's position, causing the head to turn to one side, forward, or backward. Torticollis may be a result of a birth injury suffered by the infant during delivery.

Tremors: Rhythmic, involuntary muscular contractions affecting various parts of the body, often seen in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Vacuum extraction: A technique used to assist with the completion of a vaginal delivery. A plastic cup is placed on the baby’s head and attached to a specialized vacuum. The force of suction on the head combined with the mother’s pushing activity helps the infant to move down the birth canal.