Neonatal brachial plexus injury: comparison of incidence and antecedents between 2 decades

Abstract

Objective: We sought to compare the incidence and antecedents of neonatal brachial plexus injury (BPI) in 2 different 5-year epochs a decade apart following the introduction of specific staff training in the management of shoulder dystocia.

Study design: All infants with BPI were prospectively identified during 2004 through 2008. Injuries were correlated with maternal details and intrapartum events and compared with the earlier series.

Results: Of 41,828 deliveries during 2004 through 2008, 72 infants with BPI were identified (1.7/1000), compared to 54 cases (1.5/1000) from 1994 through 1998 (P = .4); 9 injuries (12.5%) were persistent from 2004 through 2008, compared with 10 (18.5%) earlier (P = .4). There were no significant differences between the 2 time periods with respect to maternal parity, obesity, or prolonged pregnancy, although the cesarean section rate had increased from 10.7 to 18.4%.

Conclusion: Despite training in the management of shoulder dystocia and a rising institutional cesarean section rate, the incidence of BPI has remained unchanged compared with 10 years earlier.