Neurologic deficits during or following labor and delivery often occur as a result of obstetric trauma. They can also be caused by neuraxial (epidural or spinal) anesthesia. The incidence of obstetric anesthesia neuropathy is unknown. Anesthesia can cause neurologic injury, although the mechanisms for these injuries are different from those of obstetric injury. Injury can result from direct trauma to the spinal cord, epidural hematoma, as well as other causes that are discussed in this article. These injuries are less common than those of birth trauma.
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