title: [Obstetric brachial plexus injury].
abstract: Obstetric palsy is a birth injury that occurs when the brachial plexus is damaged by traction. In the majority of patients spontaneous recovery will occur; however, in case of incomplete spontaneous recovery early neurosurgical intervention may be indicated. We present 3 case reports in this article, as well as describing the strategy favoured in our clinic. We recommend referring patients who have incomplete spontaneous recovery at the age of 1 month. At that age a good prediction of prognosis can be made by combining neurological examination with needle electromyography (EMG) of the biceps muscle.
authors.affiliation: Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, Leiden.
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pondaag
authors.forename: J Gert
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: Rob G H H
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Nelissen
authors.forename: Martijn J A
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Malessy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010246:Paralysis, Obstetric / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D057832:Watchful Waiting