Shoulder Dystocia: Incidence, Risk Factors and Complications in Saudi Population

Abstract

This study was performed at a district hospital in Saudi Arabia on all neonates born during the 4 years of study period i.e. 15.12.1993 to 14.12.1997. The objective was to find out frequency of shoulder dystocia in that population, risk factors associated with it and the resultant complications of shoulder dystocia. The incidence of shoulder dystocia was 3.98% of total vaginal births and 4.26% of vaginal live births. During the study period there were 203 cases of shoulder dystocia among 5102 total vaginal birth and 5042 vaginal live births. The commonest risk factors associated with shoulder dystocia were fetal macrosomia (118 cases), male sex (107 cases), maternal grand multi parity (107 cases) and diabetes mellitus (26 cases). Of 203 shoulder dystocia cases 21.7% 44 cases) had birth trauma the commonest being fracture clavicle (34 cases) followed by Erb’s palsy (8 cases) and fracture humerus (2 cases).