Study Unveils New Risk Factors in Birth Trauma
Researchers recently set out to answer a vital question: why do some newborns experience birth injuries while others don’t? The study focused on whether social factors -- like income level, race, language barriers, or access to prenatal care -- played any role in these injuries. What they found offers a clearer picture of where the true risks lie and where families should be looking for answers.
The study reviewed medical records from more than 700 full-term newborns delivered across ten hospitals between 2019 and 2023. About one in four experienced some type of birth trauma. Most injuries were relatively minor scalp issues -- swelling or bruising caused by pressure during delivery -- but they still serve as meaningful clues about the conditions surrounding the birth.
One of the most striking findings was what didn’t contribute to birth trauma. Social factors such as race, marital status, household income, insurance type, or language barriers did not show significant impact. Even access to prenatal care didn’t make a measurable difference. Nor did physical traits like the mother’s height, the baby's birth weight, or head size. In other words, according to the study, families from all backgrounds faced similar risks, pointing researchers toward the medical circumstances of pregnancy and delivery instead.
Those medical factors told a clearer story. Mothers with chronic or pregnancy-related high blood pressure were significantly more likely to have a baby who experienced trauma. Hypertension is known to complicate pregnancy, and without careful monitoring and management, it can increase the likelihood of a difficult delivery. The study also found higher trauma rates among younger mothers and those in their first or second pregnancy, possibly reflecting the body’s early adaptation to labor.
The conditions in the delivery room also played a major role. When labor took a sudden turn and required emergency intervention—due to fetal distress, stalled progress, or other urgent issues -- the odds of birth trauma nearly tripled. Emergency deliveries demand quick, precise decisions and seamless teamwork, and even small delays can increase risk.
The researchers also noted a strong association between epidural anesthesia and birth trauma. Babies born to mothers who received epidurals were more likely to be injured. While the study doesn’t say epidurals directly cause trauma, it suggests that pain management may affect labor progression and require closer monitoring to keep both mother and baby safe.
For families, this research helps clarify where the real risks lie -- and highlights the importance of attentive, well-coordinated care before, during, and immediately after birth.
Tom Duffy has recovered birth injury settlements in excess of $20,000,000. If you would like to speak with a top Philadelphia birth injury attorney in Philadelphia, contact us to set a time to speak about your legal options.