Kansas Erb's Palsy Attorneys
WHAT IS ERB'S PALSY?
Erb's palsy is a brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves near the neck that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand and provides movement and feeling to those areas. Injury to the brachial plexus can cause paralysis.
CAUSES
This form of injury commonly occurs during birth when the newborn's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, a condition called "shoulder dystocia." In contrast to normal delivery, cases where shoulder dystocia occurs present a number of dangers to the baby, including brachial plexus injury, umbilical cord entrapment and/or compression, and severe brain injury or death due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen). There are a number of risk factors for shoulder dystocia, including:
- Breech position of the baby
- High pre-birth weight of the baby
- Maternal obesity
- Above-average maternal weight gain during pregnancy
- Prolonged gestation (more than 40 weeks)
- Maternal diabetes
- Small maternal bone structure
- Flat, contracted, or exceptionally small pelvis in mother
- Advanced maternal age
- Prolonged labor
If any of these risk factors is present, the obstetrician should anticipate shoulder dystocia and consider Caesarean delivery, or be prepared to perform one of the following maneuvers to alleviate shoulder dystocia and prevent injury to the baby:
- McRoberts Maneuver: Sharply flexing the mother's legs upon her abdomen, thereby rotating the symphysis pubis (pubic bone) enough to free the baby's anterior shoulder.
- Supra-pubic Pressure: Manually applying pressure with a fist to the mother's abdomen directly above the pubic bone and pushing the baby's shoulder in one direction or the other to free it.
In all cases of shoulder dystocia, it is imperative that the obstetrician act quickly to deliver the baby before it suffers oxygen deprivation. If, however, the obstetrician applies excessive force or torque to release the newborn baby's impacted shoulder, the baby's brachial plexus can be torn or stretched. Any maneuvers attempted must be performed with skill and gentleness to prevent injury.
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The use of labor-inducing drugs (such as Pitocin) and the use of
tools such as forceps or vacuum to help the baby get out of the
birth canal increase the risk of brachial plexus injuries.
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With very few exceptions, cases of Erb's Palsy that are evident
at or near the time of birth are considered medically preventable.
SYMPTOMS
Erb's Palsy is usually diagnosed by the child's pediatrician. The symptoms become more pronounced as the child develops and tries to move. You could see the following symptoms:
- Lack of muscle control and feeling in the arm or hand
- Lack of control while moving
- Inability to use the shoulder or elbow
- Paralysis of the shoulder, arm and/or hand
- Shorter arm on one side
- Winged shoulder blade
- Downward-sloped shoulder
- Flexed elbow
- Limp hand or fingers
- Atrophy of the deltoid, bicep or brachialis muscles
- Needs help to sit up
- Inability to crawl
Early detection of Erb's Palsy can greatly increase a baby's chance for a better recovery. Treatment for Erb's Palsy ranges from exercise and physical therapy to surgical intervention. While some babies recover from the injury within three months to two years, most injuries evident after the second birthday are considered to be permanent.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
If you believe that your child's birth injuries were caused because of inappropriate action taken by your doctor or because of medical negligence, call Prochaska, Giroux & Howell to discuss your legal options. We offer free consultations. If you need a Kansas Erb's Palsy lawyer to help you obtain the legal compensation you rightfully deserve, call us today!
7701 E. Kellogg Suite 415 Wichita, KS 67207-1709