Brachial palsy in the neonate

Alternative names:

Erb's palsy; Erb-Duchenne paralysis; Klumpke paralysis

Symptoms:

• present immediately after birth (may be observed immediately after birth)
• any loss of movement in the upper or lower arm or hand
• grip may be decreased on affected side
• Moro reflex absent on affected side
• normal position (arm flexed at elbow and held against body) may be absent or week on affected side)

Signs and tests:

Physical examination of the infant may show that the Moro reflex is absent on affected side. The affected arm may flop when the infant is rolled side to side.