Brachial palsy in newborns

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Central nervous system

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

A full recovery is expected in most cases. Rarely, the palsy may persist. If some strength has not returned to the affected muscles by 3-6 months of age, surgery on the nerves may restore it. Tendon transfers may also help to compensate for nerves that are not functioning properly.

Gentle massage of the arm and range of motion exercises are recommended for mild cases. In more severe cases, a pediatric neurologist and an orthopedic hand surgeon may need to be consulted.

In cases of pseudoparalysis, the child will begin to use the affected arm as the fracture heals.

Most infants recover within 6 months, but those that do not have a very poor outlook and will need further surgery to try to compensate for the nerve deficits.

Complications include permanent, partial, or total loss of function of the affected nerves, causing paralysis of the arm or arm weakness.

Call your health care provider if your newborn shows a lack of movement of either arm.

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.