Shoulder dystocia describes a birth in which the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone, thus preventing the baby’s delivery. If the shoulder is not freed in a timely manner or is freed in a negligently manner, serious injury and death will occur. In fact, 20 percent of births involving shoulder dystocia result in the baby suffering serious injury. Examples include birth asphyxia, fractures of the humerus or collarbone, cuts, bruises or damage to the brachial plexus nerves, which can lead to paralysis of the arm and hand.

However, if a baby is determined to be at high risk for shoulder dystocia, preemptive c-sections can be performed to avoid the dangers associated with delivering a baby with shoulder dystocia. CALM is the tool of choice to predict this dangerous condition and give expecting parents some peace of mind about at least one aspect of birth. In making its prediction, the program weighs such factors as maternal history including previous shoulder dystocia and gestational diabetes, gestational age, estimated fetal weight, maternal weight and maternal height.

Though not perfect, CALM is the best tool we have to predict shoulder dystocia and can provide a measure of ease to expecting parents.

Researchers report that tobacco exposure, unintentional injury, obesity and mental health are the four greatest problems facing our nation’s youngest. If we can check these problems in children younger than five, they will lead significantly healthier lives and burden the nation’s health care system much less. Preschool-age children suffering from problems in these four categories are at a higher risk for health problems as they mature and age.

About one-third to one-half of American children are adversely affected by one of these four health problems. However, tobacco exposure and unintentional injuries were found to be the largest threat to child health while obesity has just been officially labeled as a major health problems for American preschool children.

About 25 percent of American children are victims of tobacco exposure and 500,000 babies are born every year in America whose mothers smoked while pregnant. Reducing tobacco exposure in children younger than five would save the U.S. $500 million.

The largest child health problem in financial terms is unintentional injuries. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death, disability and medical bills for Americans under the age of 19. Unintentional injuries suffered in the first four years of life cause $4.7 billion in lifetime medical expense and $14 billion in lost productivity. For more information on protecting your child from unintentional injuries read this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on water safety, this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on car seat safety, this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on furniture safety, this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on childproofing your home, and this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on age appropriate child safety tips.

The robots reduce physical impairment by stimulating neurological development. By guiding a user’s limb when they initiate movement, the robots “teach” the children to move differently. That new movement done repeatedly then stimulates neurological development as the child’s brain and nerves learn to move differently.

The technology has been targeted for use with children because their neurological connections are much more malleable than adults’. Thus they will experience much more neurological development in response to the robot treatment than adults.

The robots work with shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand movements as well as ankle movement. The next step MIT wants to take is to allow the robots to assist users with improving their grip

The technology was originally developed to treat stroke patients and was adapted for use with cerebral palsy sufferers. One in 278 children have cerebral palsy.

Many people who write about birthing techniques, birth injuries or anything related with childbirth are very opinionated and biased. However, this blog author takes a very even handed approach and evaluates both sides of the argument.

Please visit this childbirth nurse blog. It’s well-written and informative. The author is a nurse who provides an insider’s account of childbirth that is very educational and fair.