How Common Are Birth Injuries?
How common are birth injuries in the United States? In Michigan? The honest answer is: it’s more complicated than it may seem.
While many sources attempt to quantify birth injuries, the data varies depending on how “birth injury” or “birth trauma” is defined. Some conditions are temporary and resolve quickly, while others result in lifelong complications.
Still, understanding the available statistics can help provide important context for families searching for answers.
At Hoffer & Sheremet, we have taken a closer look at the data surrounding birth injuries and infant outcomes to better understand how often these events occur—and when they may be preventable.
Birth Injury Statistics
Birth injuries are more common than many people realize.
According to data from the National Library of Medicine, the prevalence of birth trauma has increased in recent years, rising by approximately 23%. One study estimates that 31.1 out of every 1,000 hospital births are affected by some form of birth trauma.
These injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, including complications during labor and delivery. In some cases, they may be unavoidable. In others, they may be linked to delayed care, improper technique, or a failure to respond to warning signs.
When a birth injury is caused by a healthcare provider’s actions—or failure to act—it may raise questions about medical malpractice.
Common Types of Birth Injuries
For a more detailed breakdown of birth injury types, see our Birth Trauma and Injury page.
Birth injuries can range from mild and temporary to severe and life-altering. Some of the more commonly reported injuries include:
Facial Nerve Injuries
Facial nerve damage occurs in up to 10 per 1,000 live births, often due to pressure during delivery or the use of instruments such as forceps.
These injuries may cause temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of a baby’s face. For example, a newborn may have difficulty closing one eye or may have an uneven smile when crying. In many cases, this resolves over time—but more severe compression injuries may require ongoing evaluation.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Affecting approximately 2.5 per 1,000 live births, these injuries involve damage to the network of nerves controlling the shoulder, arm, and hand.
They often occur during difficult deliveries, particularly when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone—a condition known as shoulder dystocia. In these situations, excessive traction or improper delivery techniques can stretch or tear the nerves.
Children with brachial plexus injuries may experience weakness, limited movement, or, in more severe cases, permanent loss of function in the affected arm.
Fractures During Birth
Clavicle (collarbone) fractures are among the most common, often associated with challenging deliveries or the use of force during birth.
For example, fractures may occur when a baby is in a breech position or when providers must assist delivery during a prolonged or obstructed labor. While many fractures heal with proper care, they can still cause pain and require careful monitoring in the early days after birth.
Scalp Injuries
Scalp injuries account for a significant portion of birth trauma cases—estimated at nearly 80% of all birth injuries, or approximately 26.46 per 1,000 live births.
These can include conditions such as cephalohematoma (bleeding under the scalp) or caput succedaneum (swelling caused by pressure during delivery). While many scalp injuries are relatively minor, some can lead to complications like jaundice or, in rare cases, more serious underlying trauma.
Oxygen Deprivation Injuries (HIE)
One of the most serious types of birth injury occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or shortly after birth.
This can lead to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a condition that may result in brain injury, developmental delays, or lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
Oxygen deprivation can occur in situations involving delayed C-sections, failure to monitor fetal distress, or umbilical cord complications. These cases often require careful review to determine whether earlier intervention could have prevented harm.
When Birth Injuries May Involve Medical Malpractice
Not every birth injury is the result of negligence.
However, when healthcare providers fail to follow the accepted standard of care—what a reasonably trained provider would do under similar circumstances—serious and preventable injuries can occur.
Birth injury cases often involve questions such as:
- Were warning signs recognized and addressed?
- Was appropriate action taken in a timely manner?
- Were proper techniques used during delivery?
It is important to emphasize that interprofessional coordination and timely intervention are critical to preventing birth trauma and improving outcomes.
Understanding the Legal Process in Michigan
How Hoffer & Sheremet Can Help
At Hoffer & Sheremet, we approach birth injury cases with both careful analysis and genuine understanding of what families are going through.
We have seen how overwhelming it can feel to search for answers while also navigating a new and often unexpected reality.
Our role is to:
- Listen to your story and determine if we can help
- Review medical records in detail
- Work with qualified medical experts
- Determine whether the standard of care was met
- Guide families through each step of the legal process
With decades of experience in medical malpractice, we can often provide meaningful insight starting with your first conversation.
Moving Forward
Birth injuries are more common than many expect—but that does not mean they are always unavoidable.
When proper care is not provided, families deserve answers.
If you believe your child’s birth injury may have been caused by a healthcare provider’s negligence, you may have legal options.
Hoffer & Sheremet offers free case reviews. We’re here to listen, to help you understand what may have happened, and to guide you through your next steps.
Call us today at 616-278-0888 or fill out our online intake form to get started.