|
What Are the Most Common Birth Injuries Associated With Shoulder Dystocia?
One of the most common birth injuries from shoulder dystocia is Erb's palsy, in which the brachial plexus nerves in the side of baby's neck are torn during delivery, either by the birth itself or too much pulling by the doctor. The nerve damage causes partial or complete paralysis of the arm on the same side of the baby's body.
While most cases of Erb's palsy are healed within six to 24 months, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about ten percent of them are lifelong conditions. Those babies will grow up with limited or no use of that arm, sometimes without feeling and with a limp, atrophied arm that marks them as different from other children. They may need multiple surgeries and physical therapy.
Those babies with Erb's palsy who heal within their first years of life usually still need extensive physical therapy to keep their joints alive and flexible. Authorities agree that treatment within the first year of an affected child's life increases his or her chances of recovery. Furthermore, the baby's family may feel extremely anxious about the possibility of a permanent disability for their child.
When Is Erb's Palsy a Result of Medical Malpractice?
|
