Birth Injuries in Neonates at a University Teaching Hospital in Cameroon: Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

Background: Statistics on birth injuries in Cameroon are scarce, despite its frequency in postnatal consultations; we sort to find its prevalence and contributing factors, the different clinical presentations and treatment methods.Methodology: This was a retrospective, descriptive study.Data on maternal characteristics, neonatal factors, the place of birth and qualification of birth attendant, age at diagnosis, clinical presentation and management were considered.Results: Among the 14,284 newborns that were consulted from January 2003 to February 2014, 263 (1.84%) had birth injuries.The average age at diagnosis was 12 days.The contributing factors were: advanced maternal age, macrosomia, vaginal and instrumental delivery.Birth attendants were mostly nurses and the health center was the place of birth for 57.4% of patients.The main clinical presentations were: obstetric brachial plexus palsy (70.6%), fracture of the clavicle (22.5%) and fracture of the humerus (4.80%).Physiotherapy and orthopedic treatment were methods used with favorable outcome.Conclusion: The frequency of birth injury is relatively high in our context.The diagnosis is late, birth attendants need to be trained and systematic examination of all newborns in delivery room encouraged.