Features predictive of brachial plexus injury during labour.
The labours of 8 patients which resulted in the birth of babies with brachial plexus injury were studied. Four of the mothers were Black, 1 was Asian and 3 were White. Seven had instrumental deliveries. All babies were above average birth weight. Shoulder dystocia occurred in 7, with 5 of these showing abnormal partographic patterns. The abnormal active phase on the partogram should serve as a first stage warning of the possibility of shoulder dystocia. Methods of management of this second stage complication are reviewed.
D000328:Adult; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies