When the uterine wall tears, the fetus may protrude from the uterus or be expelled from it. This puts the child at risk of serious birth injury, often stemming from a lack of oxygen or blood. Oxygen deprivation can lead to birth asphyxia, which in turn can lead to severe brain damage in the child. Such brain damage can further lead to life-altering conditions such as cerebral palsy, hypoxic/ischemic brain injury, or other birth trauma. However, should the baby suffer from a lack of oxygen for too long after the uterine rupture occurs, it will die.