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Brachial palsy in newborns - Symptom

Alternative Names

Klumpke paralysis; Erb-Duchenne paralysis; Erb's palsy

Symptoms:

Symptoms can be seen immediately or soon after birth, and may include:

Newborn is not moving the upper or lower arm or hand
Absent Moro reflex on the affected side
Arm flexed (bent) at elbow and held against body
Decreased grip on the affected side

Signs and tests:

A physical exam usually shows that the infant is not moving the upper or lower arm or hand. The affected arm may flop when the infant is rolled from side to side.

The Moro reflex is absent on the side with the brachial plexus or nerve injury.

A careful examination of the clavicle or collarbone will be done to look for a fracture. Sometimes, the infant will need to have an x-ray of this bone.

Reviewed last on: 12/11/2009
Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Fenichel GM. Trauma and vascular disorders. In: Fenichel GM, ed. Neonatal Neurology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2006:chap 5.

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