ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a risk profile for predicting or preventing shoulder dystocia and whether any of the obstetric maneuvers to disimpact a shoulder reduce the likelihood of permanent injury. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 14,297 parturients with 12,532 vaginal deliveries and 1765 cesarean sections (12.4%) from January 1986 through June 1990 was performed. A total of 204 maternal and infant charts, related to shoulder dystocia or neonatal injury, were reviewed in depth for age, parity, episiotomy, type of delivery, hemorrhage, maternal obesity, diabetes, weight gain, fetal weight, sex, and Apgar scores. In addition, the type of maneuver or combination thereof used to relieve the dystocia, type of injury to the infant, and follow-up of the injury were reviewed. RESULTS: The 185 coded episodes of shoulder dystocia represent 1.4% of all vaginal deliveries (12,532). There were 42 injuries recorded: 14 fractured clavicles and 28 brachial plexus injuries. An additional 19 patients, not coded for shoulder dystocia, sustained 14 fractured clavicles and five brachial plexus injuries. All but one of the brachial plexus injuries resolved by 6 months. The occurrence of shoulder dystocia increased in direct relationship to the birth weight and becomes significant in newborns over 4000 gm (p < 0.01). The occurrence of a previous large infant was also a significant risk factor (p < 0.01). Diabetes and midforceps delivery become significant factors only in the presence of a large fetus. Obesity, multiparity, postdate pregnancy, use of oxytocin, low forceps delivery, episiotomy, and type of anesthesia were unrelated to shoulder dystocia. No delivery method was without injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly indicates that most of the traditional risk factors for shoulder dystocia have no predictive value, shoulder dystocia itself is an unpredictable event, and infants at risk for permanent injury are virtually impossible to predict. In addition, no delivery method in shoulder dystocia was superior to another with respect to injury. Thus no protocol should serve to substitute for clinical judgment.
Subject(s)
Dystocia/etiology , Dystocia/prevention & control , Obstetrics/methods , Shoulder , Delivery, Obstetric/methods , Dystocia/complications , Female , Forecasting , Gestational Age , Humans , Pregnancy , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Shoulder Fractures/etiology , Shoulder InjuriesABSTRACT
Section 2.01 of the Fetal Protection Act of 1999 defines "qualified patient" as one who registers a pregnancy by six weeks of gestational age. Section 2.02 requires that a patient be "qualified" before receiving financial aid. Similarly, all private third party payers require "registration" of the pregnancy by six weeks. "Registration" consists of proof of intrauterine pregnancy by ultrasound and attachment of a telemetry device to the cervix. Such a device will monitor the patient's vital signs, contractions, fetal movement and levels of various "toxins" in the maternal blood. Toxins include but are not limited to alcohol, nicotine, controlled substances as well as excess levels of salt, carbohydrates and saturated fats. Unacceptable variations in telemetry will trip an alarm at the patient's approved prenatal care center. Such an alarm will trigger a visit from an agent from the Fetal Bureau of Investigation.
Subject(s)
Civil Rights/legislation & jurisprudence , Fetus , Mothers , Pregnancy , Female , Humans , Physician-Patient Relations , United StatesABSTRACT
An analysis of 25 perinatal malpractice cases filed in Wisconsin between 1978 and 1984 clearly revealed that the unfavorable outcomes were preventable and caused by professional negligence. Each case was settled or adjudicated in favor of the plaintiff, and the awards totaled $25.1 million. Although cases with a total recovery of over $1 million are relatively infrequent, they are not so rare as to be considered extra-ordinary occurrences. Fifty-six percent of physicians involved failed to recognize a high-risk pregnancy or fetal distress, while 44% failed to render proper care. The most common errors involved inadequate fetal monitoring, the injudicious use of oxytocin and the failure to recognize a high-risk pregnancy, such as prematurity or postterm or multiple gestation. The purpose of this study was to examine the medicolegal issues operating in such cases in order to develop guidelines for reducing professional negligence, thereby preventing injury to women and their newborns.
