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Erb's Palsy

Erb's palsy is a common birth defect in difficult deliveries. It results from a stretch injury to the brachial plexus (network of nerves near the neck), which causes limited mobility in the shoulder. This in turn affects ability to use the affected arm.

What is Erb's palsy:
Erbs palsy is a form of a brachial plexus palsy injury. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves, which connect the spinal cord via the bones in the neck to the arms. The brachial plexus provides movement and feeling to the arms and fingers. When the brachial plexus is stretched this results in little or no muscle control in the arm, wrist or fingers, thus the arm will appear limp.

How does Erb's palsy occur:
Erb's palsy often results from the baby's shoulder becoming stuck in the mother's pelvis (shoulder dystocia) during the course of delivery. Erb's palsy in particular may occur with large babies, in a breech presentation, in a prolonged labour, or when force is exerted to quickly remove the baby from the birth canal.

Symptoms:
Erb's palsy injuries are recognisable symptoms after birth. The injuries are divided into four categories reflecting the severity i.e. 1 representing the mildest and 4 representing the most severe case.

1. The nerve is stretched but it has not rupture. This is referred to as neuropraxia. These injuries usually heal within 3 months.
2. A stretch injury that damages some of the nerve fibres may result in scar tissue, which presses on the remaining healthy nerve. This is referred to as neuroma.
3. A stretch injury that results in rupturing (tearing) of the nerve.
4. The nerve is torn from the spinal cord. This is referred to as avulsion. It is irreparable.

How to avoid Erb's palsy:

Brachial plexus injuries i.e. Erb's palsy may often be avoided if midwifes and obstetricians recognise where there is a possible case of shoulder dystocia and arrange for a caesarean section or use well recognised procedures to release the shoulder in the event of shoulder dystocia occurring.

Seeking Health Law Advice

For further information and advice regarding your legal rights and entitlements, please contact Malcomson Law by calling 01 8744422 or complete an Online Enquiry Form. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in Medical Negligence.

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