A Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Overview for Tennessee Parents

By Thomas Greer | January 25, 2015

A brachial plexus birth injury can cause pain, anxiety and financial hardship for new parents. When this injury happens to your baby, suddenly you are forced to face the fact that he or she may be permanently disabled. But, it is important to stay calm and to educate yourself as you head into the weeks and months to come.

Brachial plexus birth injuries happen when a baby’s neck is stretched to the side during birth. It is usually a complication arising from a shoulder dystocia. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves near the neck. These nerves govern the movement and feeling of the arms, hands and fingers.

An injury to the brachial plexus causes damage to these nerves. Thankfully, only about one or two of every 1,000 babies born in the United States suffer this damage and most of them will recover. However, sometimes the injury is more serious and will require treatment, which may include surgery.

There are four basic types of nerve injury. They are:

  • Neurapraxia. The most common nerve disorder, neurapraxia is a stretch injury that usually heals itself in three months.
  • Neuroma. This is also a stretch injury, but nerve fibers become damaged with a neuroma and scar tissue forms, sometimes pressing on a nerve that is healthy. Usually some recovery, but not total, can be expected.
  • Rupture. This injury tears, or ruptures the nerve. It does not heal by itself and surgery may well be recommended. Sometimes taking another nerve from the child and grafting it in place of the ruptured nerve can repair this injury.
  • Avulsion. The most serious type of brachial plexus injury, an avulsion means that the nerve has actually been torn away from the spinal cord. There is no way to completely repair this injury, but sometimes using another donor nerve can restore some function.

A brachial plexus injury is usually diagnosed in the hospital nursery where the staff may notice a weakness in one arm and/or some paralysis. If this injury is suspected, you should watch your child carefully for these signs. Your pediatrician will make the final diagnosis through an examination and possible further testing including x-rays, an electromyogram (EMG) and or a nerve conduction study (NCS).

As we have said, most brachial plexus injuries heal on their own, but it may take up to two years for this to happen and daily physical therapy will be recommended. If there is no improvement within the first three to six months, surgery may be suggested.

The most important thing for you to remember is that your baby is still a baby and needs your love and calm, confident care more than anything else.

If you suspect that your baby was injured by a medical mistake, you should contact a Memphis birth injury lawyer to see what your legal options are. Bailey & Greer has a full time nurse on staff and can provide you with answers to your questions. Call us today toll-free at 901-680-9777.

Posted in Birth Injuries, Library