Outcome Following Nonoperative Treatment of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries

Ninety-one infants who sustained a brachial plexus birth injury were treated with only physical and occupational therapy. The children were evaluated at 3-month intervals and followed for a minimum of 2 years. Sixty-three children with an upper or upper-middle plexus injury recovered good to excelle...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of child neurology 2004-02, Vol.19 (2), p.87-90
Main Authors: DiTaranto, Patricia, Campagna, Liliana, Price, Andrew E., Grossman, John A. I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Birth Injuries
Brachial Plexus - injuries
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - epidemiology
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - physiopathology
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - surgery
Extremities - physiopathology
Follow-Up Studies
Hand - physiology
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology
Muscle, Skeletal - surgery
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Recovery of Function
Regeneration - physiology
Severity of Illness Index
Shoulder - physiology
Wounds and Injuries - diagnosis
Wounds and Injuries - therapy
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Summary:Ninety-one infants who sustained a brachial plexus birth injury were treated with only physical and occupational therapy. The children were evaluated at 3-month intervals and followed for a minimum of 2 years. Sixty-three children with an upper or upper-middle plexus injury recovered good to excellent shoulder and hand function. In all of these children, critical marker muscles recovered M4 by 6 months of age. Twelve infants sustained a global palsy, with critical marker muscles remaining at M0—M1 at 6 months, resulting in a useless extremity. Sixteen infants with upper and upper-middle plexus injuries failed to recover greater than M1—M2 deltoid and biceps by 6 months, resulting in a very poor final outcome. These data provide useful guidelines for selection of infants for surgical reconstruction to improve ultimate outcome. (J Child Neurol 2004; 19: 87—90).
ISSN:0883-0738
1708-8283
DOI:10.1177/08830738040190020101