Radial nerve palsy in the newborn: A case series

Abstract

Background: Peripheral nerve palsies of the upper extremities presenting at birth can be distressing for families and care providers. It is therefore important to be able to identify pa - tients whose diagnosis is compatible with full recovery so that their families can be reassured. Methods: We conducted a retrospective re - view of all infants presenting with weakness of the upper extremity to our clinic between July 1995 and September 2009. We also conducted a review of the current literature. Results: During the study period, 953 infants presented to our clinic. Of these patients, 25 were identified as having isolated radial nervepalsy (i.e., a radial nerve palsy in isolation with good shoulder function and intact flexion of the elbow). Seventeen infants (68.0%) had a subcutaneous nodule representing fat necrosis in the inferior posterolateral portion of the affected arm. Full recovery occurred in all patients within a range of one week to six months, and 72.0% of the patients (18/25) had fully recovered by the time they were two months old. Interpretation: Although the outcome of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy is highly variable, isolated radial nerve palsy in the newborn carries a uniformly favourable prognosis. © 2011 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.