Neonatal birth fractures: a retrospective tertiary maternity hospital review.

We aimed to identify the incidence and types of neonatal birth fractures in a single tertiary maternity hospital in the United Kingdom and to find possible associated factors, including all live births born between 2000 and 2016. We reviewed hospital records and imaging of all neonates who had any imaging done to identify birth fractures. We identified 87,461 consecutive live births. Sixty-six sustained a fracture during delivery: 46 clavicle-, 13 humerus-, four skull-, one femoral-, one rib- and one tibial fracture. Five neonates with a clavicle or humeral fracture had an Erb's palsy. Sixty-five fractures were in singletons. Twenty-five fractures were diagnosed after discharge. Binary logistic regression analysis with R-Studio showed a significant association between 'Fracture' and 'Birthweight' (p < .0005), 'Delivery Mode' (Forceps: p < .001, Ventouse: p < .0004) and 'Gestation' (p < .0005) but not with 'Sex', 'Day' and 'Time' of delivery, 'Number of deliveries per day', 'Singleton/Multiple Births' and 'Breech'. The incidence of birth fractures (0.075%) was low with 24 hours obstetrician support on site in comparison to published data. We recommend to include data on neonatal birth injuries in addition to the existing clinical safety markers for delivery units.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Most birth fractures affect the clavicle with a large variation in published incidences from 0.035% to 3.2%. High birthweight is the most frequently identified risk factor. An increased risk for out of hours deliveries (16.00-8.00) and inverse association between fracture rate and level of experience and academic qualification have also been reported. Between 14% and 39% of fractures are diagnosed after discharge but many studies are based on birth certificate and discharge diagnoses coding only.What the results of this study add? This is the first study on neonatal birth fractures from the United Kingdom and the only study for which radiological investigations of all neonates were reviewed. Our fracture rate of 0.075% for all fractures is therefore most likely the most accurate, showing no significant difference in the fracture risk between our six defined time intervals and days of the week, with experienced midwifes managing many high risk pregnancies and an obstetrician being present on site all the time.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our findings support to use data on neonatal birth injuries as one indicator to assess the quality and safety of maternity units.

Obstetric neonatal brachial plexus and facial nerve injuries: A 17 years single tertiary maternity hospital experience.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the incidence of obstetric neonatal brachial plexus and facial nerve injuries in a tertiary maternity hospital in the United Kingdom and to identify associated risk factors with an emphasis on the time of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: From our hospital electronic data bases we identified all live births born between 2000 and 2016 and those neonates who sustained a nerve injury during delivery. We performed a logistic regression analysis linking "facial nerve injury" and "brachial plexus injury" with variables for which we had complete cohort data including "breech", "gestation", "sex", "birthweight", "day of week", "time of delivery", "method of delivery", "singleton/multiple deliveries" and "number of deliveries per day". Significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: We identified 87,461 live births of which 29 had sustained a facial nerve and 45 a brachial plexus injury. Logistic regression showed a significant positive association between "facial nerve injury" and "forceps delivery" (95% CI: 25-1398), "Ventouse delivery" (95% CI: 1.7-207) and "emergency Caesarean section" (95% CI: 1.7-148) and between "brachial plexus injury "and "birthweight" (95% CI: 1.001-1.003), "forceps delivery" (95% CI: 3.4-14) and "Ventouse delivery" (95% CI: 2.5-13). There was no increased risk for weekend and out of hours deliveries. All babies with a nerve injury made a full recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Our obstetric neonatal nerve injury rate (0.085%) was low with our brachial plexus injury rate (0.051%) being about one third of a historical rate from Ireland (0.15%) and half of the rate recently reported from the United States (0.12%) which could be linked to our staff dealing with many high risk pregnancies. Neonatal birth injury data should be included as a clinical safety marker for delivery units.

Internet use among head and neck cancer survivors in the North West of England.

In general, use of the internet by patients in their healthcare is increasing. However, its use specifically among those with head and neck cancer in the UK has not been reported. The aims of this study were to report access to the internet by survivors of head and neck cancer, to indicate where it fits within their information sources, how they have used it, and how they might use it in future. A question on its use has been included in annual surveys of patients since 2006. Patient-reported access to the internet increased from 32% in 2006 to 54% in 2010. There were considerable differences in access by age; currently (2010) 83% of those under 55 years, and 40% of those aged 65-84 years. Binary logistic regression modelling involving age at survey (p<0.001), age leaving education (p<0.001), and sex (p=0.01), gave all three as independent predictors of access. In the 2010 survey 49% (234/473) never used the internet, 10% (49/473) used it rarely, 15% (70/473) used it occasionally, and 25% (120/473) used it often. The main reasons for its use for head and neck cancer were to find information, learn about treatment, side effects, and medication, and obtain advice from members of multidisciplinary teams. The findings of this study show that the internet has an important role for patients in providing information and support about their cancer, although other sources are still very important. Data from the study will help inform those promoting e-health about the type of resource that is wanted by patients.