A five-year retrospective review of infants with Erb-Duchenne's palsy at a teaching hospital in North Trinidad

Abstract

Birth injuries are devastating to parents and carers alike. They carry the possibility of residual loss of function to the infant and thus the potential for litigation. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Erb-Duchenne's palsy and the identification of any contributing factors. A retrospective review over a five-year period, 2005-2009, was performed and an incidence of 0.94 per 1000 live births was noted. An association between both macrosomia and shoulder dystocia and the development of Erb- Duchenne palsy in the newborn was noted. The authors recommended the use of partograms and improved note documentation in the management of labour.