Disuse osteoporosis as evidence of brachial plexus palsy due to intrauterine fetal maladaptation

Article Abstract:

Brachial palsy in a newborn baby may have occurred in the uterus and may not necessarily be the result of a forceful delivery. Brachial palsy is an injury to the arm. During a brachial palsy malpractice case, a radiologist testified that the injury was caused by disuse osteoporosis before the baby was born.

Case studies, Osteoporosis

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Cases in point

Article Abstract:

Brachial plexus palsy may be caused by reasons other than pulling sideways on the baby's head during the birth. Brachial plexus palsy results from injury to a complex of nerves that serve the arm, shoulder, and chest. In malpractice cases, experts invariably testify that brachial plexus palsy must have been due to pulling the head hard to the side. Researchers present four malpractice suits involving brachial plexus palsy in which this did not occur. In one case, the baby had other neurologic problems that clearly were present prior to birth.

Methods, Causes of, Childbirth, Delivery (Childbirth), Dystocia, Paralysis

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Brachial plexus palsy: an in utero injury?

Article Abstract:

Injury to the brachial plexus in a newborn infant may not necessarily arise during delivery. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves in the neck. It can be injured during a difficult delivery, such as shoulder dystocia. This condition occurs when the baby is too big for the birth canal and must be pulled through it. Several studies have shown that brachial plexus injury can occur before the baby is even born. It can also occur in deliveries that do not require intervention by the doctor. Consequently, brachial plexus injury should not be considered a sign of medical malpractice.

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