Erb’s Palsy – also known as brachial palsy, Erb-Duchenned paralysis, or Klumpke paralysis – is a condition that causes varying degrees of paralysis of the arm. It is a result of injury to the nerves around the shoulder and is often the result of injury during birth.
Erb’s Palsy is often caused by dystocia, which is a difficult or abnormal labor and birth. While one in every five births has some level of dystocia, injury to the infant can be prevented. Dystocia may be caused by problems pertaining to the uterine contractions, an abnormal fetal position – such as a breech birth, or when the mother’s pelvis is just too small to allow for the infant to pass. In rare cases, dystocia is caused by a large fetal tumor.
Pregnancies that result in dystocia often require medical assistance with the birth, possibly in the form of forceps, vacuum (ventouse), or caesarean section.
Erb’s Palsy is often a result of shoulder dystocia, a birth in which the infant’s shoulder becomes immovable after showing and the doctor must manipulate it to allow the child to be born. It can also be caused by pressure on the shoulder area during a breech delivery.
Delivery techniques are improving to prevent the occurrences of Erb’s Palsy. However, the increased instances of larger than average babies – those heavier than 8 pounds, 13 ounces – are increasing the risks.
Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy involve a loss of sensation or paralysis of the shoulder, arm, and/or hand, depending on which nerves are affected. If the injury does occur during a difficult birth, it will affect development of the limb, sometimes resulting in stunted growth of the arm and hand. The circulatory system in the arm may be affected, making it necessary to monitor the temperature of the limb to ensure it does not drop below regular body temperature. Healing ability of the skin on that arm may be affected.
Treatment varies depending on the extent of damage to the nerves. In some minor cases, the paralysis resolves on its own after time. Patients may require therapy or surgery to rehabilitate or repair the affects of Erb’s Palsy.
Depending on the causes Erb’s Palsy may also be a result of medical malpractice. If you suspect that your child’s Erb’s Palsy was caused as a result of medical malpractice you should contact a medical malpractice attorney to see if there is anything that can be done for the long-term care of your child.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erb’s_palsy
http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/cerebral-palsy/types/erbs-palsy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystocia