Question
What are the factors contributing to neonatal brachial nerve injury?
Answer
The main cause of neonatal brachial nerve injury is the traction or compression of the brachial plexus during delivery. The most common injury is to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Symptoms such as abnormal function of the upper limb (from shoulder to fingers), including inability to abduct and elevate the shoulder joint, inability to flex and extend the elbow joint, wrist flexion, and muscle weakness may occur. This is considered brachial plexus injury (obstetric palsy). Since brachial plexus injury often accompanies hemorrhage around the arm, if not treated promptly, it may lead to adhesions and scar formation. Therefore, early treatment can prevent adhesions and scar formation and stimulate the recovery of surrounding nerves. Thus, for neonatal brachial plexus injury, early treatment is preferable to passive observation. The earlier the treatment, the less scarring there will be. Therefore, early rehabilitation treatment is advocated.