Cropped shot of woman in sweater holding her wrist pain
You are called to see a female newborn who is not moving her arm normally. The newborn seems to be holding her arm straight by her side with the shoulder internally rotated, elbow extended, and wrist flexed. This injury pattern is referred to as:
Complete brachial plexus palsy
Apan-plexus birth palsy affects the C5 through T1 nerve roots. It is important to examine for associated Horner’s syndrome (ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis), which may suggest a preganglionic injury
Pseudoparalysis
Pseudoparalysis refers to an inability to abduct the shoulder due to rotator cuff insufficiency rather than axillary nerve palsy
Klumpke palsy
Klumpke palsy refers to a lower trunk brachial plexus birth palsy, which affects C8 and T1. Deficits include finger flexion and intrinsic hand function
Erb’s palsy
Erb’s palsy refers to an upper trunk brachial plexus birth palsy, which affects C5 and C6, and sometimes C7. Deficits include shoulder abduction, shoulder external rotation, elbow flexion, forearm supination, and wrist extension
