children s health issues
Birth Injuries in Newborns
Injuries to the Skin and Soft Tissues
The newborn’s skin may have minor injuries after delivery, especially to the scalp, but also to other areas that receive pressure during contractions or that first emerge from the birth canal during delivery. Instruments needed for delivery, such as Operative Vaginal Delivery , can injure the skin. Swelling and bruising may occur around the eyes and on the face during face-first deliveries and on the genitals after breech deliveries (see Use of instruments during delivery and stress on the newborn (such as caused by Birth Asphyxia ) can injure the fat under the skin (called subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn). This skin injury can look like red, firm, raised areas on the trunk, arms, thighs, or buttocks. This type of injury usually resolves on its own over weeks to months. 