Disuse osteoporosis as evidence of brachial plexus palsy due to intrauterine fetal maladaptation

We report what may be overlooked evidence of the effects of intrauterine maladaptation as a cause of brachial plexus palsy. A case of total brachial plexus palsy in the posterior arm associated with Horner’s syndrome and severe demineralization of the bones of the affected arm is analyzed. In this litigated case, a report of marked demineralization of the bones of the affected arm was analyzed by the plaintiff’s radiology expert as diagnostic of disuse osteoporosis. The presence of clear-cut evidence of disuse osteoporosis during the early neonatal period is compelling evidence of an intrauterine onset of brachial plexus palsy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185:236-7.)