$Unique_ID{BRK03721}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Erb's Palsy}
$Subject{Erb's Palsy Erb/Duchenne's Palsy Erb Paralysis Parsonnage-Turner
Syndrome Peripheral Neuropathy}
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Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

738:
Erb's Palsy

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Erb's Palsy) is not
the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Erb/Duchenne's Palsy
     Erb Paralysis

Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Parsonnage-Turner Syndrome
     Peripheral Neuropathy

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.

Erb's Palsy is caused by an injury to one or more nerves that control and
supply the muscles of the shoulder and upper extremities (upper brachial
plexus).  It is usually seen in newborns and occurs as a result of a
difficult delivery.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is a paralysis of the shoulder and upper extremity.  It is most
often seen in newborns.  This disorder is characterized by an abnormal
positioning (adduction) and internal turning of the shoulder with a rotation
of the forearm.  This rotation causes the hand to be turned downward
(pronation).  On the affected side there may also be paralysis of the
diaphragm, a loss of feeling and a wasting of the muscles (atrophy).  The
wrist and hand are usually not affected by any loss of feeling or function.

Causes

Erb's Palsy is an injury to the nerve roots and surrounding nerves of the
upper brachial plexus.  This type of nerve injury can be caused by abnormal
stretching of the shoulder during a difficult labor, a delivery where the
buttocks presents first (breech), or excessive sideways movement of the neck
during delivery.

Affected Population

Erb's Palsy is an uncommon disorder that affects males and females in equal
numbers.  It is most often seen in newborns but injuries caused by abnormal
stretching of the shoulder may cause Erb's Palsy at any age.

Related Disorders

Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Erb's Palsy.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

Parsonnage-Turner Syndrome is a common inflammation of a group of nerves
that control the muscles of the chest, arm, forearm and hand (brachial
plexus).  This disorder causes severe shoulder and neck pain that may radiate
down the arm and into the hand.  (For more information on this disorder,
choose "Parsonnage" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Peripheral Neuropathy is a syndrome characterized by sensory, motor,
reflex and blood vessel (vasomotor) symptoms.  These symptoms can occur
singly or in any combination, (For more information on this disorder, choose
"Neuropathy, Peripheral" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of Erb's Palsy usually consists of physical therapy and splinting
of the affected area.  Improvement is usually rapid, but in some cases
surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged nerves.  Other treatment is
symptomatic and supportive.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
January 1990.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Erb's Palsy, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
     Information Clearinghouse
     Box AMS
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 495-4484

References

THE MERCK MANUAL, 15th Ed.:  Robert Berkow, M.D. ed-in-chief; Merck, Sharp &
Dohme Laboratories., 1987.  Pp. 1872.

ERB/DUCHENNE'S PALSY:  A CONSEQUENCE OF FETAL MACROSOMIA AND METHOD OF
DELIVERY.  L. McFarland, et al.; OBSTET GYNECOL (December 1986, issue 68
(6)).  Pp. 784-788.

BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY IN THE NEWBORN.  S. Jackson, et al.; J BONE JOINT
SURG [AM] (September 1988, issue 70 (8)).  Pp. 1217-1220.

EARLY MICROSURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION IN BIRTH PALSY.  H. Kawabata, et al.;
CLIN ORTHOP (February 1987, (215)).  Pp. 233-242.

DUCHENNE-ERB PALSY.  EXPERIENCE WITH DIRECT SURGERY.  J. Comtet, et al.;
CLIN ORTHOP (December 1988, (237)).  Pp. 17-23.

PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE WITH BRACHIAL PLEXUS EXPLORATION IN CHILDREN:
BIRTH INJURY AND VEHICULAR TRAUMA.  J. Piatt Jr., et al.; NEUROSURGERY (April
1988 issue 22 (4)).  Pp. 715-723.