| Brachial Plexus Palsy (BPP) is a devastating condition | | | | muscle transfer for any hope of recovery. |
| that infants and some newborns can develop. The | | | | Here are the affects of Brachial Plexus Palsy: |
| Brachial Plexus is a group of nerves on the spine that | | | | Some individuals may have no control of hand, arms, |
| controls the feeling, control and the movement of | | | | and wrist. Some may have little control of arm and |
| the hands, arms and wrists. While this is not a | | | | hand but no control of wrist. In the more acute |
| well-discussed injury, interestingly it is more common | | | | cases, there may be no use of the affected arm(s) |
| than other birth injuries, even Cerebral Palsy and | | | | at all, so it will just hang limp. There are sometimes |
| Downs Syndrome. Look at the statistics taken from | | | | facial "sagging" on the affected side of the body. |
| the Brachial Plexus Palsy Foundation's Website. | | | | Other affects are numbness or lack of sensation in |
| * One in 1000, births suffer Down syndrome. | | | | the affected arm/hand/shoulder. |
| * Two or three per 1000 births suffer Cerebral Palsy. | | | | Causes of Brachial Plexus Palsy: |
| * One per 3500, boys suffer Muscular Dystrophy. | | | | Most injuries occur during birth if babies' shoulders are |
| * 1 in 1000 births suffer from Spina Bifida. | | | | spread widely apart. This will cause the severance or |
| * 3 in 1000 births suffer Brachial Plexus Palsy. | | | | tearing of the nerves as described above. The |
| There are three types of this condition reported by | | | | condition can be caused by forceps or other birthing |
| the BPP foundation. They are: (in order of severity) | | | | processes that may involve moving a babies' shoulder |
| Stretch: The least severe of BPP injuries, are caused | | | | head and neck region enough to cause tearing of the |
| by swelling in the region of the Brachial Plexus, often | | | | brachial nerves. |
| spontaneously heals to restore 90 to 100% of the | | | | It is also possible for infants to be harmed to a |
| hand(s)/arm(s) use. Rupture: Nerves are completely | | | | degree where they develop Brachial Plexus Palsy if |
| severed from the plexus (Shoulder region bones and | | | | they are abused by caretakers. |
| muscles) and require surgery for any possibility of | | | | If you or someone you know has a child that either |
| healing. Even with surgery, though it cannot be | | | | has been diagnosed with BPP, or has signs of BPP, |
| guaranteed all patients will regain arm, hand and wrist | | | | you may be entitled to damages. Only a qualified |
| use. Avulsion is the total tearing of the nerves from | | | | attorney can help you find the underlying cause of |
| the spine and the Plexus. This is the most severe | | | | your baby's condition and only an attorney can get |
| form of BPP. Avulsion requires surgery and often | | | | you the compensation you and your baby deserve. |