Main Article Content
Musculoskeletal Birth Injuries in a South West Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Abstract
Background
Musculoskeletal birth trauma in our environment has been sparsely reported. Knowledge of the patterns of musculoskeletal birth trauma should enable us in making recommendations for prevention and early treatment.
Methods
All children who were referred to the out-patient Orthopaedics Clinic and Surgical Emergency Department with musculoskeletal birth injuries between June 2006 and May 2007 were included in this study. Biographic data, birth weight, maternity facility and calibre of obstetric attendant were recorded and analysed using SPSS version 15.
Results
In the study period, 57 patients were seen with a male-female ratio of 1:1.28. Those born in private hospitals constituted 49.1% while the rest were born in government hospitals churches, at home, or by herbal healers and traditional birth attendants. Birth weight was known in only 41 babies (71.9%) ranging from 2.8kg to 5.5kg. Although brachial palsy was the commonest birth injury seen in 21 (36.84%) cases, there were more fractures on the whole-the clavicle being the most frequently fractured bone (33.3%).
Conclusion
Birth injuries are not uncommon in our environment. Fractures appear to be more common than obstetric palsy in our practice. Public enlightenment and training of birth attendants should reduce the incidence of birth injuries and facilitate early referral for treatment.
Keywords: musculoskeletal, birth, hospital, trauma, obstetric palsy.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njcm.v4i1.3
Musculoskeletal birth trauma in our environment has been sparsely reported. Knowledge of the patterns of musculoskeletal birth trauma should enable us in making recommendations for prevention and early treatment.
Methods
All children who were referred to the out-patient Orthopaedics Clinic and Surgical Emergency Department with musculoskeletal birth injuries between June 2006 and May 2007 were included in this study. Biographic data, birth weight, maternity facility and calibre of obstetric attendant were recorded and analysed using SPSS version 15.
Results
In the study period, 57 patients were seen with a male-female ratio of 1:1.28. Those born in private hospitals constituted 49.1% while the rest were born in government hospitals churches, at home, or by herbal healers and traditional birth attendants. Birth weight was known in only 41 babies (71.9%) ranging from 2.8kg to 5.5kg. Although brachial palsy was the commonest birth injury seen in 21 (36.84%) cases, there were more fractures on the whole-the clavicle being the most frequently fractured bone (33.3%).
Conclusion
Birth injuries are not uncommon in our environment. Fractures appear to be more common than obstetric palsy in our practice. Public enlightenment and training of birth attendants should reduce the incidence of birth injuries and facilitate early referral for treatment.
Keywords: musculoskeletal, birth, hospital, trauma, obstetric palsy.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njcm.v4i1.3
