Brachial palsy in newborns

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Central nervous system

Klumpke paralysis; Erb-Duchenne paralysis; Erb's palsy

• Noticed immediately or soon after birth
• Lack of spontaneous movement in the upper or lower arm or hand
• Grip may be decreased on the affected side
• Moro reflex is absent on the affected side
• Normal arm position (arm flexed at elbow and held against body) may be absent or weak on affected side

A physical exam of the infant may show that the Moro reflex is absent on the affected side. This reflex WILL be present in an infant with pseudoparalysis. (In pseudoparalysis, the infant has a fracture and is not moving the arm because of pain.)

The affected arm may flop when the infant is rolled side to side.

Review Date: 09/25/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.