Brachial plexus injury in vaginal delivery

Objective: To study the incidence and persistence ofbrachial plexus injury (BPI) and the ability to predict itsoccurrence pre-natally depending on patients’ criteria andantepartum-partum course.Methods: During a 3-year period from June 2001-June2004 at Queen Alia Military Hospital, Royal MedicalServices, Amman, Jordan, all newborns with BPI wereidentified (patients group) and followed-up for a one-yearperiod. Obstetric details were compared with a controlgroup who were delivered during the same period.Obstetrical neonatal features of both groups werecompared.Results: Over the mentioned period, 30 cases of BPIwere identified from a total 11560 deliveries (0.25%).Persistency for more than one year was present in 5 cases(17%). Both groups were compared regarding certainknown maternal and intra-partum risk factors. Significantrisk was history of having shoulder dystocia in previousand current pregnancy (p 0.05) and duration of labor(p 0.05).Conclusion: Brachial plexus impairment wasencountered in the presence of normal course of laborand delivery. No predictable risk factors were found thatcould be avoided antenatally to prevent BPI.