Unusual Presentations of Birth Related Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Neonatal spinal cord injury is a rare complication of birth trauma. Typical symptoms include decreased movement, loss of reflexes, and breathing issues, often leading to severe outcomes like respiratory failure or paralysis. This report describes a case where a newborn had a C2 spinal cord injury but showed unusual, subtle symptoms initially. The baby presented with a hoarse voice, swallowing difficulties, reduced movement in the upper limbs, and hypercapnia (increased carbon dioxide in the blood). After treatment with corticosteroids and rehabilitation, the baby improved, although ventilator support was still needed at night. This case is unique because the baby was born via a smooth vaginal delivery, and the initial symptoms were not the typical catastrophic signs usually associated with such injuries, making it a challenging diagnosis.

• 1
  A neonate with C2 spinal cord injury presented with atypical symptoms: hoarse voice, swallowing dysfunction, and decreased upper limb movement.
• 2
  The spinal cord injury occurred despite a smooth vaginal delivery without instrument assistance, which is an unusual circumstance.
• 3
  Corticosteroid therapy and rehabilitation led to improvement, although the infant still required nighttime ventilator support.