Study Reveals a New Risk for Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

The brachial plexus is a network of nerve fibers that extend from the spine into the neck and arms. Newborns can suffer injury to any of these nerve fibers in varying degrees of severity. Injury can occur during the delivery if the birth doctors use excessive force or cause unnecessary stretching to deliver the child. This risk of brachial plexus injury is worsened when vacuum extractors or forceps are used.

The two most well-known conditions are Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s palsy. Erb’s Palsy involves injury to the upper brachial plexus nerves. Loss of motion usually occurs in the shoulder and elbow. Klumpke’s palsy involves the lower part of the nerve fibers. It can make it difficult for the child to move his or her hand or wrist.

Mental health injuries often accompany brachial plexus birth injuries

Romper.com and Psych Central reported on a Swedish clinical study disclosed in PLOS One, a peer-review scientific journal, that children with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) have a risk of developing mental health problems as teenagers. The study was performed at Sweden’s Lund University. More than 600,000 Swedish children were part of the study, and 1,600 children had brachial plexus injuries. Children with BPBI were more likely to use anti-depressants and other mental health medications than their peers who did not have BPBI. Furthermore, “Researchers found that kids with brachial plexus palsy who come from low-income families have a greater chance of developing mental health issues than their wealthier counterparts.”

Is it the injury or the class status?

Elia Psouni, the lead author of the study and an associate professor of developmental psychology at Lund University, indicated that the children of low-income families are more at risk for mental health than higher-income children – independent of the birth injury disorder. This was also especially true with girls from low-income families. Ms. Psouni said she has seen how school-related stress affects girls more than boys.

Treating brachial plexus injuries

Brachial plexus is often treatable. The ability to rotate their arm usually returns a few months after treatment starts. Ms. Psouni believes that some nerve damage, however, may be permanent. She claims that if doctors used better care, especially in high-risk pregnancies, brachial plexus and other birth injuries could be avoided. She says the study now confirms that more than just physical therapy will be required in brachial plexus birth injury cases. Attention will need to be paid to the risks of mental-health complications – especially among children. This psychological care will often be needed after the injury has physically healed or improved.

If your child has suffered any birth injury, you may have a medical malpractice claim against the birth doctors, the hospital, and other health care providers. The risks of brachial plexus palsy and many other birth injuries are well-known. Often, our birth injury lawyers can prove that the medical team failed to take reasonable precautions. Many birth injuries can last for the rest of your newborn’s life.

To learn if you have a birth injury case, please call the lawyers at Bailey & Greer, PLLC. We have a strong record of success in many types of personal injury cases including medical error. For help now, please call us at 901-680-9777 or use our contact form. We see clients in Memphis, Jackson, West Tennessee, and nearby areas.