title: Brachial plexus injuries in Malaysian neonates: incidence and associated risk factors.
abstract: A prospective study was carried out on 26,176 Malaysian neonates born in the Maternity Hospital, Kuala Lumpur over a 12-month period to determine the incidence and associated risk factors of brachial plexus injuries. This condition was found in 42/26,176 neonates (1.6 per 1000 livebirths). Multiple logistic regression analysis of affected and control neonates from a nested case-control study showed that increasing birth weights and breech deliveries were the significant risk factors. Our study suggests that to reduce the occurrence of this condition, there is a need for: (i) better assessment of fetal size and maternal pelvimetry to enable earlier diagnosis of cephalo-pelvic disproportion, and (ii) review of the indications and techniques of breech delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
authors.forename: N Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Boo
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lye
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanchanamala
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ching
mesh_terms: D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001724:Birth Weight; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D001946:Breech Presentation; D005260:Female; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors