Related Experiment Videos
Self-mutilation in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy
1Division of Plastic Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Journal of Hand Surgery (Edinburgh, Scotland)
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Self-mutilation occurs in 4.7% of obstetric brachial plexus injury cases, particularly in total palsy. Affected children bite digits or hands, a behavior possibly linked to denervation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) can lead to significant functional deficits.
- Self-mutilation is a rare but concerning complication in children with neurological impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and clinical characteristics of self-mutilation in infants with OBPI.
- To compare self-mutilation patterns between total palsy and Erb's palsy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective documentation of 127 consecutive cases of OBPI.
- Clinical assessment of self-mutilation, including location and severity.
- Analysis of the relationship between palsy type and self-mutilation.
Main Results:
- Self-mutilation was observed in 4.7% (6/127) of OBPI cases.
- Incidence was higher in total palsy (4/37) than Erb's palsy (2/90).
- Total palsy cases showed severe digital biting; Erb's palsy cases had mild dorsal hand mutilation.
Conclusions:
- Self-mutilation is a recognized complication of OBPI, with varying severity based on palsy type.
- The ability to self-mutilate suggests preserved or compensatory motor function.
- Further research into the mechanisms of self-mutilation in OBPI is warranted.