Erbs palsy ( brachial plexus injury) is common type of birth injury(happens mostly in assisted deliveries like vaccum or forceps). In this injury there is damage to nerves supplying shoulder and arm; which in turn leads to decrease in movement of that shoulder. Nerves are 5th and 6th cranial nerve (part of brachial plexus nerves) , which are damaged while passing through a point called Erb’s point. One way that the brachial plexus nerves are affected is when the baby is passing through the birth canal at an awkward angle, with the head being turned to one direction while the arm is being pulled in the opposite direction.

1-2 babies per 1000 newborn delivery worldwide are affected.

Various risk factors involved in this condition are

  • Large size baby/ good weight of baby.
  • Assisted delivery .eg use of forceps or vaccum
  • Excessive pulling/ traction on shoulders during delivery
  • Gestational diabetes mellitus
  • Prolong labour

Symptoms:· 

  1. Not able to move upper limb well. Especially shoulder joint.
  2. Affected arm is hanging by side ofbody and may be bent at elbow.
  3. If not able to move even fingers; (not able to grip , your fingers properly) then it suggests severe injury and involvement of lower plexus of nerves too.
  4. Can have collar bone fracture along with it too.
  5. It often looks like that baby has paralysis of the affected side

Types of nerve injury

  There are four types of nerve injuries.

  1. Neurapraxia: nerve is stretched, not complete tear. (so recovers early within 3 months).
  2. Neuroma: more serious damage to nerves.
  3. Rupture: nerve is torn;will need intervention (as it will not heal on its own).
  4. Avulsion: is complete tear and most serious of all. ( luckily it is very rare)

Treatment

Multidisciplinary approach will decide the plan of care for baby: It will include pediatrician, need help from neurologist, orthopedic and neuro physiotherapist.

  1. Intermittent immobilization and positioning to prevent contractures
  2. Gentle massage (as advised by physio)
  3. Surgery if severe damage to nerve or complete tear of nerve.
  4. Electric stimulation may help 

Prognosis:

It depends on degree of damage: luckily most of the cases are mild. If the hand grasp/ grip is good and finger movement is present: it suggests good prognosis.

It may take few months to few years to recover.

 Be in regular follow and adhere to advice of your doctor. 

Regards