What are potential complications for the newborn associated with shoulder dystocia?

Shoulder dystocia is a critical and potentially severe obstetric emergency that occurs during delivery when the shoulder of the fetus becomes impacted behind the mother’s pelvic bone. The complications that arise for the newborn during such an event can be quite serious.

Brachial plexus injury is one of the most common complications associated with shoulder dystocia. This occurs due to excessive stretching of the nerves that supply the arm during the delivery process. As the shoulder gets stuck, the delivery may require maneuvers that can inadvertently stretch or damage the brachial plexus, resulting in weakness or loss of movement in the affected arm.

Additionally, a fractured clavicle is another potential injury that can occur. The excessive force or manipulation needed to free the shoulder can lead to a broken collarbone. This injury may not only cause immediate discomfort for the newborn but can also require careful management to ensure proper healing.

The options that involve jaundice, respiratory distress, cleft lip and palate, or neonatal diabetes and obesity do not have a direct relation to shoulder dystocia in the same way that brachial plexus injury and fractured clavicle do. These latter conditions are direct results of the mechanical difficulties experienced during delivery involving shoulder dystocia, making them particularly pertinent to the