What Causes Damage to the Brachial Plexus?
March 08, 2006Injuries to these nerves usually occur during the natural delivery of a larger infant. Sometimes a baby will be too large to pass through the mother's pelvis, which may result in the baby's shoulder becoming lodged behind the mother's pubic bone after the head has been delivered.
If a doctor attempts to continue with the natural delivery rather than performing a C-section, the baby's neck can be stretched causing nerve damage. Children with Erb's Palsy, which is caused due to damage to the upper plexus, have lack of movement in the arm and shoulder. Children with Klumpke's Palsy, which is caused due to damage to the the lower plexus, have less movement in the wrist and hand.