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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Methods for In Vivo Biomechanical Testing on Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets
Published on: December 19, 2019
Interrater reliability of electrodiagnosis in neonatal brachial plexopathy
Mary Catherine Spires1, Spencer M Brown2, Kate Wan-Chu Chang3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, 325 East Eisenhower, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108, USA.
Introduction:
We investigated interrater reliability of overall assessment of nerve root lesions by electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) in neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP).
Methods:
Two blinded, board-certified reviewers retrospectively reviewed de-identified EDX data from 37 infants with NBPP for 2005-2012. Only nerve conduction and electromyography needle data were included. The examiners independently assigned 1 of 4 nerve root lesion categories: (1) pre-ganglionic lesion (avulsion), (2) post-ganglionic lesion (rupture), (3) normal, or (4) "unable to determine." Simple percentage agreement, the Cohen kappa statistic representing interrater reliability for each nerve root (C5-T1), and overall kappa between examiners were evaluated.
Results:
Interrater reliabilities were substantial to almost perfect for each nerve root except C5. Considering all nerve roots, overall interrater reliability was substantial (kappa = 0.62); simple percentage agreement was 75% (138/185).
Conclusions:
Interrater reliability of nerve root assessment by EDX for infants with NBPP was high for C6-T1 root levels, but less reliable for C5 because of technical factors. Muscle Nerve 55: 69-73, 2017.
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