Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Obstetric brachial plexus injury is a serious issue that can happen during childbirth. It causes nerve damage that affects the baby’s arm and shoulder movements. It’s important for parents, caregivers, and doctors to know about this. Early detection and treatment can really help with recovery.

This condition is also known as neonatal brachial plexus palsy. It usually happens because of delivery problems. It makes recovery hard.

What is Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury?

Obstetric brachial plexus injury happens when the nerves in the shoulder, arm, and hand get hurt during childbirth. These nerves control the muscles in these areas. The injury can be mild or severe, showing in different ways.

---

Get Free Consultation

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

- Step 1 of 4

Select Your Gender *

• Woman
• Man

Next

Select Your Age

Age: 0

Next

When do you plan on getting The Treatment? *

• As Soon
• 3 Months
• 1 Year
• Only Info

Next

What is your name? *

Dropdown *Select Your TreatmentCheck-upEar Nose ThroatCardiovascular SurgeryMedical OncologyDentistryNutrition and DieteticsPediatricsDermatologyPhysical Therapy and RehabilitationGeneral SurgeryOphtalmologyInternal MedicineObstetrics and GynecologyWeight Loss SurgeryOrthopedics Traumatology and Sport InjuriesNeurologyNeurosurgeryRadiation OncologyEndoscopyCardiologyRadiologyUrologyOrgan TransplantationHematologyAesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBone Marrow TransplantationIVF

Phone *

What is your email? *

Paragraph Text

Get Your Consultation

---

ACIBADEM Health Point: The Future of Healthcare

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, which is why we have established multiple branches in strategic locations. Whether you're in need of routine check-ups, specialized treatments, or emergency care, ACIBADEM Health Point is here for you.

---

Definition

The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that start from the neck and go down to the arm and hand. If a baby is born hard, these nerves might get stretched, squished, or torn. This can cause different levels of harm. Obstetric brachial plexus injury means this damage happens during birth.

Types of Injuries

There are different kinds of obstetric brachial plexus injuries, based on how bad and where the nerves are hurt:

• Erb’s Palsy: This is the most common injury. It happens when the upper nerves (C5-C6) get hurt. It mainly affects the shoulder and upper arm muscles.
• Klumpke’s Palsy: This type damages the lower nerves (C8-T1). It affects the forearm and hand muscles, which might make the hand look like a claw.
• Complete Brachial Plexus Injury: This is the worst kind. It damages all five nerves of the brachial plexus. This means the affected arm will be totally paralyzed.

These injuries can be mild or very serious. Mild ones might heal on their own, but serious ones might need surgery and a lot of rehab to get better. Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Causes of Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

It’s important to know why obstetric brachial plexus injury happens. This condition comes from childbirth issues and some mom factors.

Complications During Delivery

A difficult delivery is a big reason for this injury. Shoulder dystocia, when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck, is a big risk. This situation often needs extra moves that can hurt the brachial plexus.

Too much pulling or wrong delivery methods can also cause these injuries. Spotting and fixing these issues early helps lower the injury risk.

Maternal Factors

Some things about the mom can make getting this injury more likely. Diabetes and being overweight can lead to bigger babies, making delivery harder. Moms who had this injury or shoulder dystocia before are more likely to get it again. Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Good prenatal care and watching things closely can help manage these risks. This can make delivery smoother.

Symptoms to Look Out For

It’s very important to spot the signs of obstetric brachial plexus injury early. This means getting help right away if you see any of these signs:

• Arm Paralysis: The most obvious sign is when the baby’s arm won’t move. This could be just a little or totally.
• Decreased Grip: If the baby can’t hold things or has a weak grip, it might mean they’re hurt.
• Arm Numbness: If the baby doesn’t feel touch or react like they should, it could be a sign.
• Motor Function Loss: Trouble moving the arm, like lifting it or bending the elbow, is a sign too.
• Abnormal Muscle Contractions: Muscles acting strange or looking weak is another clue.
• Postural Differences: The hurt arm might just hang there or look different from the other one.

Parents and those taking care of the baby should watch closely for any numbness or loss of motor function. Spotting signs like paralysis or a weak grip early helps get the baby the right help fast. This is key for them to get better.

Diagnosing Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Getting the right diagnosis for obstetric brachial plexus injury is key. Doctors use a detailed check-up and special tests to find out what’s wrong. They start by looking closely at the baby’s arm to see if there’s nerve damage.

Initial Examination

A pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist does the first check-up. They look at how the baby moves its arm, its muscle strength, and its reflexes. They watch for any odd movements that might mean nerve problems.

They also look at the baby’s history and do a full check-up. This helps them figure out what kind of injury it is and how bad it is.

Imaging Tests

Doctors use special tests to see more clearly what’s going on:

• MRI Scan: An MRI scan shows detailed pictures of the nerves, muscles, and tissues around them. It tells how bad the nerve damage is and exactly where it is.
• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the nerves. It’s good at spotting swelling or other issues in soft tissues.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: These tests check how fast and strong electrical signals move through the nerves. By comparing the injured and healthy arms, doctors can see how much nerve damage there is.

Doctors might also do electromyography (EMG) tests. EMG looks at how muscles work by checking their electrical activity. This gives more info on how the nerve injury affects muscles. These tests together help doctors make a good plan for treatment.

Immediate Steps After Detection

When you find out about an obstetric brachial plexus injury, you must act fast. This ensures the best chance for the baby. Quick and right steps are key for the baby’s health.

First Aid

Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury If you think the baby has an obstetric brachial plexus injury, act fast. Be very gentle with the arm to avoid making things worse. Use a soft splint to keep the arm still and comfy.

Watch the baby closely for any signs of trouble or odd behavior. This is very important for helping the baby right away.

Doctor’s Consultation

After giving first aid, see a doctor right away. A quick visit to a pediatric specialist is crucial. They can check how bad the injury is and start the right treatment.

The doctor might use tests like X-rays to see the injury better. Then, they can make a plan to help the baby. Acting fast is key to lessening the injury’s effects and helping the baby get better.

Treatment Options

There are many ways to treat obstetric brachial plexus injury. The choice depends on how bad the injury is and its type. Treatments can be non-surgical or surgical. Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatments use physical and occupational therapy. These help with movement, muscle strength, and coordination. Physical therapy does exercises to make joints flexible and muscles strong. Occupational therapy helps with everyday tasks.

• Physical Therapy: This includes stretching and exercises to make muscles and joints move better.
• Occupational Therapy: Helps with daily activities and makes the affected arm work better.

Surgical Treatments

For serious cases, surgery might be needed. Two surgeries are common: nerve grafts and nerve transfers. A nerve graft uses nerves from another part of the body to replace damaged ones. Nerve transfers move nerves to the affected area to help it work again.

• Nerve Graft: Replaces damaged nerves with healthy ones from another part of the body.
• Nerve Transfer: Moves nerves to the affected area to help it work better.

Choosing the right treatment needs a careful check-up by experts in nerve injuries.

Physical Therapy for Recovery

Physical therapy is key for kids with obstetric brachial plexus injuries. Pediatric physical therapy helps get limbs working right again. It aims to make muscles strong, joints flexible, and prevent disabilities.

At first, therapists use rehabilitation exercises to wake up muscles gently. These exercises change based on the injury and the child’s health. Kids do things like stretch, build muscle, and learn new skills.

A home exercise program is also part of recovery. Parents help by making sure their kids do the exercises every day. This plan includes special moves to help with fine motor skills and arm and hand use.

Here’s a table showing the different phases and activities of pediatric physical therapy:

Following these rehabilitation exercises and a home exercise program helps kids get better. Starting pediatric physical therapy early makes recovery faster. It also helps kids grow and develop well.

Long-Term Effects and Complications

Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Children with obstetric brachial plexus injury may face long-term effects and complications. These can be physical and mental challenges that need ongoing care.

Potential Long-Term Disabilities

One serious effect is permanent nerve damage. This can lead to muscle atrophy. This makes muscles weak, causing less muscle mass and strength. Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

In bad cases, kids might have trouble with their arm or hand. This can make everyday tasks hard.

Psychological Impact

Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Living with a disability can really affect a child and their family. Kids might find it hard to feel good about themselves and make friends. Parents and guardians feel stressed and worried as they look for the best help for their kids.

It’s important to have good ways to cope. This includes counseling, support groups, and special education. These help kids and families deal with the challenges of obstetric brachial plexus injury.

Preventive Measures

Preventing obstetric brachial plexus injury starts with good prenatal care. Early and regular check-ups during pregnancy help spot and fix risks. This way, any problems can be caught early.

Managing risks like gestational diabetes and obesity is key. Moms-to-be should talk with their doctors to make a plan. This plan includes eating right, staying active, and going to all prenatal visits. Being informed and ready can lower the chance of problems during birth.

Using the latest delivery techniques is also important. Doctors need to know the best ways to help babies come out safely. Things like controlled delivery and choosing the right birthing position can help. Keeping doctors up-to-date helps them make the best choices for moms and babies during delivery.