Head trauma after instrumental births.
Instrumental vaginal delivery involves the use of the vacuum extractor or obstetric forceps to facilitate delivery of the fetus. It is associated with substantial risk of head injury, including hemorrhage, fractures, and, rarely, brain damage or fetal death. This review article describes the different types, etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, and clinical features of head trauma after instrumental birth, along with their management and prevention strategies.
Doumouchtsis
Stergios K
SK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. sdoum@yahoo.com
Arulkumaran
Sabaratnam
S
D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000075202:Contraindications; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors