Persistence of Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy among Nulliparous Versus Parous Women

Abstract

Objective Our objective was to compare persistence of neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) at 1 and 2 years in children of nulliparous versus parous women. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children diagnosed with NBPP followed at the University of Michigan, Interdisciplinary Brachial Plexus Program (UM-BPP). Self-reported demographics, delivery history, including birth weight (BW) < versus ≥ 9 lbs, and presence of shoulder dystocia (SD) were recorded. Student's t -test and Chi-square test with odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for comparisons of maternal, neonatal, and peripartum characteristics. Results Of 337 children with NBPP, 43% (146) were of nulliparas and 57% (191) of multiparas. At 1 year, children with persistent NBPP were similar in both groups (87% vs. 88%, aOR 1.357, 95% CI: 0.297-6.208). Persistent NBPP was not significantly different among nulliparous and multiparous women at 2 years (97% vs. 92% respectively, aOR 0.079, 95% CI: 0.006-1.050). Conclusion In one of the largest cohorts of NBPP, maternal parity did not influence the likelihood of NBPP persistence at 1 and 2 years.

Keywords: neonatal brachial plexus palsy; nulliparous; persistent; shoulder dystocia.