title: Comparison in obstetric management on infants with transient and persistent obstetric brachial plexus palsy.
abstract: The outcome of obstetric brachial plexus palsy depends on the severity of the lesion of the nerve fibers. The aim of the prospective study is to evaluate if differences in force used in downward traction on the fetal head correlate to the number of nerve roots affected. At final neurological examination at 18 months of age, complete neurological recovery occurred in 80 of 98 children (82%). Downward traction of the fetal head was applied more often and with greater force in the group with persistent damage. There was a significant correlation between the force used to the number of nerve roots affected. The risk of persistent obstetric brachial plexus palsy at age 18 months depended on obstetric management and increased significantly with increasing force used in downward traction of the fetal head.
authors.affiliation: Perinatal Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. m.mollberg@telia.com
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mollberg
authors.forename: Anna-Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lagerkvist
authors.forename: Urban
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Börje
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bager
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagberg
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018672:Community Health Planning; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010246:Paralysis, Obstetric / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors