Shoulder Dystocia/Erb's PalsyAs the son of a father who suffered a similar nerve injury, I know what difficulties life will present for those children who have suffered this tragedy. As the father of two wonderful young boys, I can only imagine how parents must feel when they learn that their children have been so harmed. With that thought, this page is dedicated to little Joann and her family. She is a beautiful little girl who suffered a permanent injury to her brachial plexus due to a doctor's negligence. I am happy to now report that Joann's case has gone to trial and a jury agreed with us.Shoulder dystocia occurs during the birth process when the infant's shoulder becomes lodged in the mother's pelvic area. The result is the newborn becomes "stuck" in the birth canal. At this point, the obstetrician must take immediate remedial action to cause the safe delivery of the child. If they fail to do so, their negligence can cause an injury to the newborn's brachial plexus.The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that attach the arm to the neck and spinal column. The brachial plexus and Erb's Palsy injuries occur when the health care provider forcibly removes the infant by pulling and sometimes yanking or twisting the newborn's head and neck, in an attempt to dislodge the shoulder. The injury can vary from slight to severe depending on the degree of trauma to the brachial nerve during delivery. Children with a brachial plexus injury run the risk of permanent neurological damage, deformity and paralysis. An Erb's Palsy is often associated with a loss of sensation, uncontrollable body movements, and or tremors.Brachial plexus and Erb's Palsy injuries often needlessly occur due to medical malpractice. Often a health care provider commits medical malpractice by failing to appreciate the risk of encountering shoulder dystocia and its potential for causing serious complications during labor and delivery. Negligence also occurs when the obstetrician panics when the baby gets stuck and uses excessive force in removing the baby.For more information, visit the following websites:Brachial Plexus/Erb's Palsy National BPI Forum Texas Childrens Hospital - Brachial Plexus Clinic Washington University - Brachial Plexus Clinic Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust Database Magnetic Resonance Neurography A New (Old) Maneuver for the Management of Shoulder Dystocia St. James University Hospital UK Massachusetts General Hospital Yale University Brachial Plexus Clinic EPRIG-Erb's Palsy Resource and Information Group/Now UBPN United Brachial Peripheral Nerve Surgery Related Links Family Accounts of Surgery and Care For Anyone With Brachial Plexus Injuries Peripheral Nerve Research Group The Center for Functional Restoration Electronic Journal of the Hand Nerve Transfer to Biceps Muscle Gillette Children's Brachial Plexus UCLA Peripheral Nerve Surgery Program Preop Assessment of Brachial Plexus Injuries Shoulder Dystocia and Baby Links |