Curriculum of Obstetrics
TOPIC 42
FETAL BIRTH INJURIES
RATIONALE
Birth injuries vary from minor skin abrasions to severe intracranial hemorrhage (IH). Their prevention depends on the art of obstetrics, and a balance must be struck between safety of the mother and that of the child during difficult labor. Prevention of serious birth trauma is a reflection of improvements in antenatal and perinatal care that graduates should learn well.
GOAL
Recognize the types, etiology, clinical picture, prevention, and management of IH, brachial plexus injury, and skeletal and muscle injuries
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
l List the types and causes of IH
l Mention the clinical picture and the investigations required to diagnose IH
l List the lines of prevention of IH
l Describe the different lines of treatment of IH
l Enumerate long-term complications of IH
l Differentiate between IH and caput succedaneum
l Mention the types and causes of brachial plexus palsy
l Describe the clinical picture of brachial plexus palsy
l Outline lines of prevention and management of brachial plexus palsy
l List the complications of brachial plexus palsy
l Recognize types, lines of prevention, and management of skeletal and muscle injuries
CONTENT
l IH:
· Types and causes
· Diagnosis
· Prevention
· Treatment
· Complications
· Differential diagnosis
l Brachial plexus palsy:
· Types, causes, and clinical picture
· Prevention and management
l Skeletal and muscle injuries:
· Types and causes
· Clinical picture
· Prevention
· Management
