Is cord prolapse tied to brain injury at birth? Yes, umbilical cord prolapse can lead to brain injury in newborns by cutting off the baby’s oxygen supply during delivery.
Umbilical cord prolapse happens when the cord slips ahead of the baby into the birth canal. This rare event compresses the cord, blocking blood flow and oxygen from reaching the baby. Without quick action, the lack of oxygen can harm the brain in minutes.
The cord acts as the baby’s lifeline, carrying oxygen and nutrients from the mother. When it prolapses, it gets squeezed between the baby’s body and the mother’s pelvis. This triggers a condition called hypoxia, where brain cells start to die from oxygen starvation.
Doctors call severe oxygen loss hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. HIE damages brain tissue and often leads to long-term issues like cerebral palsy, seizures, or learning problems. If the cord stays compressed too long, the injury worsens as toxins build up and cause more cell death.
Cord prolapse is a true emergency. The standard response is an immediate C-section to deliver the baby fast. Delays in spotting it or acting on it, such as missing fetal heart rate drops, raise the risk of harm. Risk factors include premature rupture of membranes, breech position, or multiples pregnancies.
Not every prolapse causes brain injury. Quick medical steps can prevent damage. Still, studies link it to birth asphyxia, a key step toward HIE and related brain problems.
Sources
https://www.nationalbirthinjurylaw.com/what-causes-cerebral-palsy
https://nybirthinjury.com/birth-injuries/brain-injuries/
https://www.rwkgoodman.com/injury/birth-injury-claims/cerebral-palsy-claims/cerebral-palsy-guide-causes-symptoms-legal/
https://www.sokolovelaw.com/birth-injuries/causes/
https://www.mannarinoandbrasfield.com/blog/what-is-hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy
https://www.wagnerreese.com/blog/umbilical-cord-breaking-during-delivery/
https://www.lawfirm.com/birth-injury/hypoxic-ischemic-encephalopathy/lawsuit/
https://www.paulsoncoletti.com/birth-injuries-vs-birth-defects/
https://www.standsureonline.co.uk/hie-hypoxic-ischaemic-encephalopathy-causes-treatment-support/
