Tool for Predicting Shoulder Dystocia

A new tool predicts shoulder dystocia, which happens when a baby's head has been born but the shoulders are still trapped in the birth canal.

The difficulty of delivering a baby vaginally can increase after the head is born, particularly when the size and position of the shoulders are unfavorable, creating a true emergency. The umbilical cord can become compressed, reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the baby. In addition, the obstetrician may have to use a series of risky maneuvers that may stretch or injure the nerves leading to the arm. Neonatal injuries associated with severe shoulder dystocia can include brachial plexus injury, clavicular fracture, and, very rarely, brain damage or death. Low detection rates or unduly high false-positive rates have made current detection methods unsatisfactory.

The new CALM (computer-assisted labor management) Shoulder Screen is based on software that improves prediction and results in better outcomes. The system was developed by LMS Medical Systems (Montreal, Canada).

"Our new predictive model has the capacity to improve both early prediction and false-positive rates, resulting in an opportunity to improve outcomes and patient safety from this serious birth complication,” stated Dr. Emily Hamilton, chief medical officer and founder of LMS. "With CALM Shoulder Screen, healthcare teams will have empirical information upon which to base policies of intervention, design clinical protocols, and empower women and clinicians to make informed choices.”

The LMS Computer-Assisted Labor Management parent product provides doctors and nursing staff with innovative obstetrical decision-support and risk-management tools integrated into robust clinical information systems designed to improve outcomes and patient care for mothers and their infants during delivery.




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