Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries: What Parents Need to Know and Why Early Detection Matters

For many parents, the days following childbirth are filled with joy, exhaustion and close observation of their newborn. It is often during these early moments that signs of a brachial plexus birth injury may first appear. While the condition can be distressing, medical experts stress that timely detection and intervention can make a significant difference to a child’s recovery.

According to Dr Abhijeet Wahegaonkar, Consultant – Advanced Hand Surgery Department at Sahyadri Hospitals, obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) occurs in around one to four out of every 1,000 births. It results from stretching of the nerves that control movement and sensation in the baby’s shoulder, arm and hand during delivery, leading to reduced or absent arm movement after birth.

What Causes Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries?

There is no single cause. While the condition is more commonly reported in male infants, it can affect any baby. Risk factors include prolonged or difficult deliveries, the use of instruments such as forceps or vacuum, and shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged during birth. Shoulder dystocia alone can increase the risk by 4 to 40 per cent, although injuries can still occur without it.

Larger babies or those passing through a relatively narrow birth canal may also face higher risk. Importantly, many cases arise even when no obvious risk factors are present, making prediction difficult.

Early Signs of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries

In most cases, reduced arm movement is evident immediately after birth and is picked up during routine neonatal checks. However, some injuries present more subtly. Parents may notice weakness days or, in rare cases, months later.

One such case involved an infant whose finger movements were intact but who showed little arm mobility. The injury was identified only after a few days by a medically trained relative. Physiotherapy began on day five, and although progress was slow and challenging, consistent therapy, medical reviews and supportive activities such as swimming helped the child regain strength, confidence and independence. Only a mild cosmetic bend remained as a long-term reminder.

Don't Miss: Ozempic for Weight Loss in India: Price, Side Effects, Risks and What Experts Say

Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries Early Detection

Stories like this underline the importance of early observation. The sooner physiotherapy begins, the better the chances of recovery. Dr Wahegaonkar notes that around 95 per cent of babies improve without surgery, often showing strong recovery within six months to a year with regular physiotherapy.

Parents are taught gentle stretching and movement exercises to keep joints flexible, working alongside trained therapists. In about five to ten per cent of cases, surgery may be required to repair, graft or transfer nerves.

Long-Term Outlook and Prevention

Most children recover within a year, regardless of gender. Some may retain mild movement limitations, which can be addressed later through minor procedures, splints or tendon transfers to improve daily arm use.

Prevention focuses on identifying risks early in pregnancy, such as suspected large baby size or possible shoulder dystocia, and planning delivery accordingly, including timely caesarean sections when needed. However, experts acknowledge gaps in long-term data and call for better research and tracking to guide families more effectively.

For parents, awareness remains the first and most powerful step.

Don't Miss: Menopause or Malignancy? How to Tell the Difference, Doctor Explains

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Image Courtesy: Freepik