Erb's Palsy (Erb's-Duchenne Paralysis)
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Today we'll be looking at Erb's Palsy.
It is one of the most common neurological birth injuries, and these injuries most commonly, though not exclusively, arise from the traction on the neck during difficult childbirth.
Erb’s palsy refers to an injury to the upper roots of the brachial plexus (tyC5-C6). It most commonly occurs as a result of a stretching injury during a difficult vaginal delivery.
Nerves affected
Musculocutaneous nerve
Axillary nerve
Suprascapular nerve
Nerve to Subclavius
Muscles affected
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Subclavius
Biceps brachii
Brachialis
Coracobrachialis
Deltoid
Teres minor
Epidemiology
It is a common birth injury with estimated prevalence ranges of 0.9 to 2.6 per 1000 live births. It causes significant arm weakness that affects 0.4 to 5 in 10,000 births. Hajira Basit, et al (2023).
Treatment
The management of Erb's palsy depends upon its severity, with some cases requiring surgical intervention while others can be managed by physiotherapy alone.