title: High prevalence of early language delay exists among toddlers with neonatal brachial plexus palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An association of language impairment with neonatal brachial plexus palsy has not been reported in the literature. The current treatment paradigm for neonatal brachial plexus palsy focuses on upper extremity motor recovery with little formal assessment of other aspects of development, such as language. We performed a cross-sectional pilot study to investigate early language delay prevalence in toddlers with neonatal brachial plexus palsy and potential neonatal brachial plexus palsy-related factors involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty toddlers with neonatal brachial plexus palsy were consecutively recruited (12 males and eight females; mean age, 30 months). Preschool Language Scale Score (4th edition), demographics, and socioeconomic status were collected. Neonatal brachial plexus palsy-related factors such as palsy side, treatment type, Narakas grade, muscle Medical Research Council score, and Raimondi hand score were reported. Student t test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test were applied. Statistical significance level was established at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of study participants, 30% had language delay, whereas the prevalence of language delay in the population with normal development in this age range was approximately 5-15%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed high language delay prevalence among toddlers with neonatal brachial plexus palsy. Although our subject sample is small, our findings warrant further study of this phenomenon. Early identification and timely intervention based on type of language impairment may be critical for improving communication outcome in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Kate Wan-Chu
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Lynda J-S
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Driver
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: vsnelson@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Virginia S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007807:Language Tests; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: brachial plexus injury; brachial plexus palsy; language delay; neonate