Yes, a birth injury is different from a birth defect. Specifically, birth injuries and birth defects are distinct in that birth defects are usually genetically inherited abnormalities in a baby’s DNA. Birth defects are not the result of any trauma during birth. A birth injury, on the other hand, is an injury that is inflicted solely during the labor and delivery process. Often, the injury is to the child’s brain, and it most often is caused by inadequate amounts of oxygen during labor and/or delivery.