Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
π¨Emergency? If you have severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or think it's an emergency, call 000 immediately.
Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (Erb's Palsy)
Nerve injury to baby's arm during difficult delivery causing weakness or paralysis - most recover with physiotherapy by age 2, severe cases may need nerve surgery or tendon transfers
πWhat is Brachial Plexus Birth Injury (Erb's Palsy)?
Nerve injury to baby's arm during difficult delivery causing weakness or paralysis - most recover with physiotherapy by age 2, severe cases may need nerve surgery or tendon transfers
π¬What Causes It?
- Shoulder dystocia during vaginal delivery (baby's shoulder stuck behind mother's pubic bone - most common cause 70-80%)
- Excessive lateral neck flexion during delivery (pulling baby's head sideways stretches nerves - iatrogenic injury)
- Breech delivery (feet-first delivery with arms trapped overhead - stretches upper nerve roots)
- Prolonged second stage labor (extended pushing phase >2 hours increases injury risk)
- Forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery (increased traction forces on baby's head and neck)
β οΈRisk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Large baby (macrosomia >4.5kg or 10 lbs - 3-5x increased risk, shoulder too wide for birth canal)
- Maternal diabetes (gestational or pre-existing - causes fetal macrosomia, shoulder dystocia risk)
- Maternal obesity (BMI >30 - larger babies, difficult delivery positioning)
- Previous shoulder dystocia delivery (recurrence risk 10-15% in subsequent pregnancies)
- Prolonged labor (>12-18 hours total labor, especially prolonged second stage)
- Assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum - increase traction forces on baby)
- Post-term pregnancy (>42 weeks - larger babies)
π‘οΈPrevention
- βOptimal prenatal care (manage gestational diabetes to prevent macrosomia - reduces shoulder dystocia risk 30-50%)
- βDelivery planning for high-risk pregnancies (large baby >4.5kg on ultrasound - consider elective cesarean section discussion)
- βExperienced obstetric care during delivery (skilled management of shoulder dystocia if occurs - McRoberts maneuver, suprapubic pressure, reduce traction forces on baby's head)
- βAvoid excessive lateral neck flexion during delivery (pulling baby's head sideways main mechanism of nerve injury)
- βEarly recognition and management of shoulder dystocia (reduces duration of impaction, minimizes nerve stretch)
- βCesarean section for previous shoulder dystocia (recurrence prevention - discuss risks/benefits with obstetrician)