When birth injuries occur, the causes can often be a result of:
A failure to provide the mother with adequate antenatal screening and care
A failure to diagnose pre-eclampsia
Inappropriate use of forceps or ventouse resulting in damage to the baby or the mother
The baby’s shoulder becomes stuck (shoulder dystocia) causing injury to the baby’s brachial plexus
Delays in delivery causing the baby to be deprived of oxygen
A failure to diagnose or treat low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in the baby
A failure to diagnose or treat jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus) in the baby