Main factors affecting natal injury of the cervical region of the newborn spine

Abstract

Parturition is a complex biomechanical process that affects the entire body of a newborn baby. The traumatic process consists of the flexion-compression and distraction moments, as well as the rotation of the head. The purpose is to identify the main factors on the part of mothers and medical staff facilitating the trauma of the cervical spine segment. Over the past 3 years we have seen 87 newborns who were in the intensive care unit over natal trauma of the cervical spine. Boys counted 38, girls - 39. Average weight is 2800-3200 grams. Newborns were born during the period from 38 to 40 weeks. All the newborns had KISS-syndrome. Predisposing factors of the parturient woman are as follows: narrow pelvis - 5; rapid parturition - 9; anomaly of the fetus and placenta position - 6; others – 7. Predisposing medical factors are stimulation or suppression of labor - 13; cesarean section - 20; not shown or incorrect medical benefit - 16. Combined factors of mothers and medical personnel - 11. We considered only those factors that played a major role in the trauma of the cervical region. Of all 87 newborns, the cervical injury due to “maternal causes” occurred in 27 cases (31%); due to “medical staff” - 49 (56%), combined factors 11 (13%). Conclusions: considering predisposing factors, one can prevent or avoid natal trauma of newborn by changing tactics of childbirth. The main role in the formation of the natal injury of the cervical spine region in the newborn is devoted to unspecified or “active” medical benefits. Malformations in parturient women contribute least to the formation of the natal injury of the cervical spine region in newborns.