Neurologic Lesions in Relation to the Sequelae of Birth Injury

Abstract

The literature on the causes of brain damage at birth and subsequent development is reviewed. Observations concerning 4464 babies born to 4411 mothers from Jan. 1, 1944, through Dec. 31, 1947, are outlined. Mothers were divided into groups, (1) mothers with prolonged labor, (2) mothers with uncomplicated labor, (3) mothers whose babies had asphyxia, toxemia or delayed respiration (beyond 1 min.), (4) mothers whose babies did not have asphyxia or delayed respirations (control for No. 3), (5) mothers with abnormality of the placenta, knots in the cord and prolapsed cord with toxemia. Follow-up studies were carried out over periods from 1 to 7 yrs. From the observations reported it is concluded that prolonged labor increases the risk of intracranial injury and death of the infant, but if the infant survives there is little or no abnormality in subsequent development and no increase in neurologic disturbances, at least during the first few yrs. of life. There were fewer convulsions in the group in which there was prolonged labor or asphyxia than among the control group in which there was not prolonged labor or asphyxia. These observations extended over 1 to 7 years.