Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injury

Injuries to the brachial plexus during birth are a fairly common form of birth injury. Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury, also known as Erb’s Palsy, can occur during childbirth when the shoulder is caught under the mother’s pelvic bone, a medical emergency called shoulder dystocia. The brachial plexus is a set of nerves that run from the spine through neck and armpit to the arm. When these nerves are injured, the effects include weakness, decreased reflexes, decreased sensation, paralysis and obvious malformation. Risk factors for brachial plexus injury include the use of vacuum or forceps during delivery or a large size baby. Most affected newborns recover quickly with minimal intervention. However, a minority of victims may suffer long term disabling injuries. A legal suit involving Erb’s Palsy would need to show that the physician should have followed protocols that should have prevented the shoulder dystocia from resulting in the brachial plexus injury.