NEGLECTED SPINAL-CORD, BRAIN-STEM AND MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES STEMMING FROM BIRTH TRAUMA

Objective: A review of the medical literature was undertaken to determ ine cause, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of injuries resulting from birth trauma. The primary focus was the neonate, though infant, child and adult were also considered because the effects of b irth trauma can be life-long. Data Source: A compilation of case studi es and review articles were extracted from numerous ''MEDLINE'' litera ture searches. Key Terms included: Birth Trauma, Central Nervous Syste m Injuries, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Cerebral Palsy, Brachial Plexus Palsies (Erb's and Kl umpke's), Neonatal-Infantile Respiratory Distress, Obstetric Accidents (Forceps, Vacuum Cup and Cesarean Deliveries), Subluxation, Chiroprac tic Treatment. American, British, Danish and German studies were inclu ded to show the universality of the problem. Study Selection: Findings were selected on the basis of a clear connection between birth trauma and the resulting symptoms, syndromes and/or death. Data Extraction: Findings were compiled by studying articles from the literature search . The quality and validity were assessed by corresponding references, method of documentation, number of case studies, length of time over w hich studies took place and presence of follow-up documentation. Data Synthesis: Inadequacies and source discrepancies were also included wi th regard to cause and types of obstetric accidents. Conclusion: Birth trauma remains an underpublicized and, therefore, an undertreated pro blem. There is a need for further documentation and especially more st udies directed toward prevention. In the meantime, manual treatment of birth trauma injuries to the neuromusculoskeletal system could be ben eficial to many patients not now receiving such treatment, and it is w ell within the means of current practice in chiropractic and manual me dicine.