title: Phrenic nerve palsy: A rare cause of respiratory distress in newborn.
abstract: Birth injury is defined as an impairment of a newborn's body function or structure due to adverse influences that occurred at birth. Phrenic nerve palsy may result from birth trauma during a traumatic neonatal delivery from a stretch injury due to lateral hyperextension of the neck at birth. This could be a rare cause of respiratory distress in the newborn period with irregular respiration. Respiratory distress due to phrenic nerve damage leading to paralysis of the ipsilateral diaphragm may require continuous positive airway pressure or mechanical ventilation and if unresponsive, surgical plication of diaphragm. Herein, we report a case of phrenic nerve palsy in a newborn presenting with respiratory distress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Maharajhas Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: V S S Yerramilli
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Murty
authors.forename: K Dinedra
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Ram
keywords: Birth trauma; diaphragmatic paralysis; phrenic nerve palsy; respiratory distress
references.citation: J Perinat Med. 2009;37(3):293-6
references.pmid: 19199838
references.citation: Aust Paediatr J. 1984 Nov;20(4):331-2
references.pmid: 6529392
references.citation: Arch Pediatr. 2000 Sep;7(9):965-8
references.pmid: 11028205
references.citation: Pediatr Surg Int. 2003 Apr;19(1-2):79-81
references.pmid: 12721731
references.citation: Pediatr Neurol. 2010 Mar;42(3):234-6
references.pmid: 20159438
references.citation: Acta Paediatr Taiwan. 2004 Sep-Oct;45(5):301-3
references.pmid: 15868816
references.citation: J Hand Surg Br. 1998 Apr;23(2):225
references.pmid: 9607664
references.citation: J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Apr;33(4):602-5
references.pmid: 9574760
references.citation: Neuropediatrics. 1995 Oct;26(5):281-4
references.pmid: 8552223
references.citation: J Pediatr Surg. 1978 Jun;13(3):259-63
references.pmid: 671190