{"id":30226,"date":"2012-04-21T20:01:39","date_gmt":"2012-04-21T20:01:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wagners1.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/birth-related-brachial-plexus-palsy\/"},"modified":"2012-04-21T20:01:39","modified_gmt":"2012-04-21T20:01:39","slug":"birth-related-brachial-plexus-palsy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wagners.co\/es\/blog\/birth-related-brachial-plexus-palsy\/","title":{"rendered":"Birth Related Brachial Plexus Palsy"},"content":{"rendered":"\nBirth related brachial plexus palsy refers to an injury occurring in the perinatal period to all or part of an infant\u2019s brachial plexus (the network of nerves connecting your spine to your upper limbs). Birth related<\/a> brachial plexus palsies can be defined as either Erb\u2019s palsies or Klumpke\u2019s palsies. Erb\u2019s palsies are injuries occurring in the upper brachial plexus, whereas Klumpke\u2019s palsies are injuries which occur in the lower brachial plexus. Various factors can increase an infant\u2019s risk of suffering a brachial plexus palsy during childbirth. Improper, unskilled or negligent treatment by a medical professional can also cause an infant to suffer a brachial plexus palsy.\n\nThe brachial plexus<\/u><\/strong>\nThe brachial plexus is a network of nerves near the neck that sends signals from your spine to your upper limbs including your shoulders, arms, forearms, hands, and fingers. The brachial plexus is responsible for movement of and sensation in these areas.\n\nInjury to the brachial plexus<\/u><\/strong>\nA brachial plexus injury occurs when nerves are damaged by having been constricted, strained, or, in extreme cases, severed from the spinal cord. Brachial plexus injuries are categorized in accordance with the severity of damage done to the nerves, as follows:\n\nAvulsion \u2013 Avulsion refers to a complete tearing of the nerve root from the spinal cord. In such instances, surgical intervention is not often a treatment option.\n\nRupture \u2013 A Rupture is often as serious as an avulsion; however, a rupture, which is a tear of the nerve root beyond the spinal cord, can sometimes be repaired with surgical intervention.\n\nNeurotemesis<\/strong>\u2013 Neurotemesis<\/strong> occurs when the entire nerve has been divided. <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\nAxonotemesis<\/strong>\u2013 Axonotemesis<\/strong> occurs when the axons (the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells) have been severed.\n\nPraxis\/Neurapraxia - Praxis\/Neurapraxia <\/strong>occurs when a nerve is not torn but has been damaged from stretching.\n\nNeuroma \u2013 Neuroma <\/strong>occurs when scar tissue has formed around the injury and signals from the nerve to the muscle are restricted as a result.\u00a0<\/u>\n\nTypes of brachial plexus injuries<\/u><\/strong>\n\nErb\u2019s palsy<\/em><\/strong>\nErb\u2019s palsy is caused by damage to the upper C5 and C6 nerves. Partial or full paralysis of the arm can occur. The injured is unable to raise their arm which hangs to the side. In some instances, the affected arm is noticeably smaller than the unaffected arm.\n\nKlumpke\u2019s palsy<\/strong><\/em>\nKlumpke\u2019s palsy is caused by damage to the lower C8 and T1 nerves. This results in paralysis of the forearm and hand muscles. Klumpke\u2019s palsy can give the appearance of a clawed hand as the wrist and fingers are affected.\n\nFactors that can increase an infant\u2019s risk of suffering a brachial plexus injury<\/u><\/strong>\nSeveral factors can increase an infant\u2019s risk of suffering a brachial plexus injury during childbirth, including:\n