Atraumatic fetal cervical spinal cord injury and cruciate paralysis.
BACKGROUND
Congenital cervical spinal cord injury usually is attributed to intrapartum mechanical trauma.


METHODS
A fetal cervical spinal cord hemorrhage presented as congenital isolated upper extremity ("cruciate") paralysis and muscle atrophy after an atraumatic delivery. Timely neonatal diagnosis and surgery resulted in complete recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Paralysis may result from atraumatic spinal cord injuries occurring in the antepartum period.
Berck
D J
DJ
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA. djberck@aol.com
Mussalli
G M
GM
Manning
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010243:Paralysis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*