Cranial compression ischemic encephalopathy: Fetal neurological injury related to the mechanical forces of labor and delivery

Intrapartum events including asphyxia in term fetuses account for significant amounts of subsequent neurological handicap, including cerebral palsy (CP). The prevention of such handicap is a major justification for fetal surveillance during labor as well as for the increasing cesarean delivery rate. Despite the pervasive application of electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring for the detection of fetal asphyxia and the rising cesarean rate, there has been no diminution of the rates of CP, neonatal seizures or neonatal encephalopathy, despite a reduction in the frequency of stillbirth attributable to asphyxia.