Related Experiment Videos
[Brachial plexus injuries in newborn infants]
T Rootwelt1, R R Kjos, T A Stiris
1Barneavdelingen Aker sykehus, Oslo.
Insights
Brachial plexus palsy affects 1.8 in 1,000 newborns, often linked to shoulder dystocia. Most infants recover function within six months, but surgical repair is an option for persistent cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Obstetrics
- Neonatal care
Abstract:
39 children with brachial plexus palsy during the period 1/1 1990 30/6 1995 were identified retrospectively. The incidence was 1.8/1,000 (95% confidence interval 1.3-2.5/1,000). Shoulder dystocia was noted in 74%, and 44% were delivered by vacuum or forceps. Mean birth weight was 4,300 g. The outcome is known for all children. Seven children show permanent sequelae; in three of these there is marked loss of function. In the remaining children, normalization occurred within one month in 41%, within three months in 69% and within six months in 83%. Surgical repair is now a treatment option if elbow flexion is still impossible at three months of age.