ecureme logo
  ecureme home ecureme log In Sign Up!
eCureMe Life : Your Healthy Living. Click Here!
Welcome, eCureMe.com medical contents search April 25, 2013
       eCureMe Life
       Healthy Living Shop
       Medical Supplies
       Calorie Count
       Self-Diagnosis
       Physician Search
       Message Board
      E-mail Doctor
      E-mail Veterinarian
      Self-Diagnosis
      Health-O-Matic Meter
      Calorie Count
      Natural Medicine
      Vitamins & Minerals
      Alternative Living
      My Health Chart
      Diseases & Treatments
      Atlas of Diseases
      Sexually Transmitted
      Diseases
      Drug Information
      Illegal Drugs
      Lab & Diagnostic Tests
      Internal Medicine
      Women’s Health
      Pediatrics
      Eye Disorders
      Skin Disorders
      Headache
      Mental Health
      Radiology
      Neurology
      Allergy
      Resource Links
      Physician Directory
      Dentist Directory
      Hospital Directory





Erb's Palsy

more about Erb's Palsy


Erb-Duchenne palsy or paralysis



  • Erb's palsy is a weakness of the arm that occurs in newborns.  It is caused when the nerves that control the arm are injured during the birth process.

  • Infants with Erb's palsy hold the affected arm at the side, with their forearm turned inward and their wrist bent.  When a baby with Erb's Palsy is stimulated, the affected arm moves less than the unaffected arm.

  • Erb's palsy is commonly associated with shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when an infant's shoulder gets caught and stretched behind the pelvic bone during delivery.

  • The condition can occur, albeit rarely, without being caused by shoulder dystocia.

  • Diagnosis is made clinically.

  • If there is a question regarding the reason for the weakness, X-rays can rule out a fracture.

  • Larger babies are at a higher risk for deliveries that involve damage to their shoulder, and thus at higher risk for Erb's palsy. For the same reason, mothers who have a smaller pelvic opening will also have a greater risk for delivering an infant with Erb's palsy.

  • Other risk factors include maternal diabetes, prolonged labor, an infant that presents in the breech position or induction of labor.

  • Although an affected infant's arm is often placed in a sling for several weeks to prevent further stretching or rupturing of the affected nerves, specialized therapy isn't the usual course of action.

  • After a period of healing, stretching and range of motion exercises are prequently performed to help the child recover flexibility.

  • Surgical intervention followed by physical therapy may be necessary when a baby demonstrates no functional recovery by four months of age.

  • 75% to 90% of infants with Erb's palsy will recover completely after several months.


  • Complications include permanent, partial, or total loss of function of the affected nerves, causing arm weakness or paralysis.




more about Erb's Palsy


medical contents search

Home   |   About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Employment Ad   |   Help

Terms and Conditions under which this service is provided to you. Read our Privacy Policy.
Copyright © 2002 - 2003 eCureMe, Inc All right reserved.