Abstract
Birth injury of the scalp, skull and central nervous system (CNS) is a well-recognized complication of a difficult delivery. The rate of birth trauma has dropped precipitously and now accounts for less than 2% of neonatal deaths. Despite this dramatic decrease in birth-trauma mortality significant injuries still occur. A variety of risk factors clearly predispose certain infants to birth-related injury. Recent neuroradiology studies indicate that intracranial hemorrhage, even in asymptomatic infants, is not rare. Pathologists' (neuropathologists and forensic pathologists) appreciation of the spectrum of birth injuries and their sequelae is critical in order to be able to distinguish these from inflicted injuries and post-mortem changes.
MeSH terms
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Birth Injuries / pathology*
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Birth Injuries / physiopathology
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Brain Injuries / etiology
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Brain Injuries / pathology*
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Brain Injuries / physiopathology
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Causality
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Central Nervous System / injuries*
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Central Nervous System / pathology
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Central Nervous System / physiopathology
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Female
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Head Injuries, Closed / etiology
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Head Injuries, Closed / pathology*
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Head Injuries, Closed / physiopathology
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Humans
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Intracranial Hemorrhages / etiology
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Intracranial Hemorrhages / pathology
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Intracranial Hemorrhages / physiopathology
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Pregnancy
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Skull / injuries*
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Skull / pathology
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Skull / physiopathology
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Skull Fractures / etiology
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Skull Fractures / pathology
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Skull Fractures / physiopathology
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Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / etiology
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Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / pathology
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Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology