Causes of Brachial Plexus Injury at Birth

What Is the Cause of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries?

There are several causes of brachial plexus injury at birth, including stretching, pressure, or tearing of a baby’s delicate nerves during delivery.

Often, the causes of brachial plexus injury happen when a baby’s neck is strongly pulled to one side, putting too much pressure on the nerves that lie along the neck and shoulder. These nerves control the upper arm and hand.

These are common risk factors and causes of brachial plexus injury at birth:

• Breech delivery, with the baby being born feet- or buttocks-first
• History of a previous delivery resulting in a brachial plexus injury
• Larger-than-average baby size, increasing delivery complications
• Prolonged or difficult labor, placing stress on the baby’s nerves
• Shoulder dystocia (infant’s shoulders get stuck behind the pelvis)
• Twin or multiple pregnancies, which add complexity to delivery
• Use of delivery tools, like forceps or vacuum extractors

Sometimes, the causes of brachial plexus injury at birth are unavoidable. However, in other instances, they could have been prevented with proper medical care.

If you think something may have gone wrong that resulted in harm to your child, we may be able to help you get the money you need for care.

The brachial plexus injury lawyers in our network have helped families nationwide recover over $962 million from birth injury lawsuits.

Find out if our team can help you seek the financial compensation and justice your family deserves.

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Brachial Plexus Injury Causes During Labor & Delivery

Certain childbirth conditions can increase the likelihood of a brachial plexus birth palsy. Knowing these factors helps in understanding the causes of brachial plexus injury at birth.

Learn about 10 common causes of brachial plexus birth injuries below.

1. Shoulder Dystocia

This medical emergency is one of the leading causes of brachial plexus injury at birth. Shoulder dystocia happens when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has been delivered.

This situation must be managed immediately and with precision.

Doctors sometimes use too much force to free the baby, which can damage the brachial plexus nerves. Additionally, without proper technique, the pelvic bone can crush the baby’s shoulders.

2. Large Baby (Macrosomia)

Fetal macrosomia occurs when a baby weighs more than 8 pounds 13 ounces at birth.

A large baby can increase the risk of nerve injuries if the delivery is difficult or if there is excessive force applied while the baby moves through the birth canal.

3. Breech Birth

In a breech birth, the baby is positioned feet- or buttocks-first instead of head-first. This positioning can make delivery more challenging, potentially leading to nerve damage if the baby’s neck or shoulders are pulled too hard.

4. Long or Difficult Delivery

A prolonged or difficult delivery can put extra stress on the baby’s body, particularly the neck and shoulder area. This increases the risk of stretching or tearing delicate nerves, making prolonged labor another of the common causes of brachial plexus injury at birth.

5. Use of Assisted Delivery Tools

These instruments are used to assist delivery when the baby is having trouble moving through the birth canal. Improper use of forceps and vacuum extractors can injure the baby’s brachial plexus.

6. Pregnancy With Multiples

Carrying more than one baby can increase the chances of complicated deliveries. This increases the risk of nerve injuries, especially if medical tools or force are used to deliver the babies.

7. Gestational Diabetes

This form of diabetes develops during pregnancy, causes high blood sugar, and can lead to higher birth weights. This can raise the risk of a difficult delivery.

This increases the likelihood of nerve damage during birth, making it another one of the common causes of brachial plexus birth injuries.

8. History of Brachial Plexus Injuries at Birth

If a mother has had a previous child with a brachial plexus injury, the risk of a similar injury in future deliveries may be higher. Health care providers must monitor and plan the delivery to minimize this risk.

9. Abnormal Pelvic Shape

When the mother’s pelvis is narrow or irregularly shaped, it can make it harder for the baby to pass through the birth canal, increasing the likelihood of complications that can lead to brachial plexus injuries.

10. Rapid or Forceful Delivery

When labor progresses unusually quickly, or medical interventions speed up delivery, the baby may be subjected to excessive force or stress, raising the risk of brachial plexus nerve damage.

Recognizing these factors can help families understand the causes of brachial plexus birth injuries and whether they could have been prevented.

Is Medical Negligence a Cause of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries?

Yes, medical negligence can cause brachial plexus injuries during childbirth. This can occur if health care providers fail to properly manage delivery complications, resulting in excessive force or improper techniques that damage the baby’s nerves.

Any of these situations can overstretch or tear a baby’s delicate nerves, which are some of the top causes of brachial plexus injury at birth.

If you suspect medical negligence contributed to your child’s injured nerves, it’s important to talk with an experienced birth injury lawyer. They can investigate your child’s birth to determine if medical malpractice may have played a role and protect your family’s rights.

Our team may be able to connect you with a skilled birth injury lawyer near you.

Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or Click to Live Chat to talk to a member of our team.

How Do Brachial Plexus Injuries Happen?

Brachial plexus injuries occur when the network of nerves controlling the shoulder, arm, and hand is stretched, torn, or completely detached from the spine.

The type and severity of the injury depend on how and where the nerves are damaged, influencing recovery time and treatment options.

Learn more about how common types of nerve injury happen below.

Stretch (Neurapraxia)

Neurapraxia is the mildest form of brachial plexus injury, occurring when the nerve is stretched but not torn. It often results in temporary weakness or limited range of motion in the affected arm.

For example, Erb’s palsy, which affects the upper portion of the brachial plexus, can result from neurapraxia during childbirth. Most cases improve within a few months with non-surgical treatments like physical therapy.

Rupture

A rupture happens when the nerve is torn but remains attached to the spinal cord. This type of injury is more severe and may require surgical procedures, such as nerve grafts.

This is when healthy nerves are moved and placed at the site of injury to repair the damaged nerve and restore function to the affected upper arm.

If a rupture impacts the lower portion of the brachial plexus, it can lead to Klumpke’s palsy, causing weakness or paralysis in the forearm and hand.

Avulsion

An avulsion is the most severe type of brachial plexus injury, where the nerve is completely torn away from the spinal cord. This injury often requires complex surgical treatment, like tendon transfer or nerve transfers, to restore function.

In some cases, avulsion may cause complications like breathing difficulties or Horner syndrome, which affects one eye and half of the face.

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Child’s Injury Was Preventable?

If you believe the causes of brachial plexus injury at birth were avoidable, taking action right away can make a difference. Understanding your options can help you find answers and seek the support your family needs.

By taking legal action, you may be able to access a brachial plexus birth injury settlement to cover the costs of caring for your child. You can also hold negligent medical professionals accountable for the devastation they caused.

The most important thing to remember is that you should act quickly if you are considering taking legal action. Each state has a time limit for filing claims called the statute of limitations.

Contacting an experienced brachial plexus injury lawyer promptly can ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.

Get Legal Help for Your Child’s Brachial Plexus Injury

The Birth Injury Justice Center understands that your child’s care is your family’s top concern.

We can connect families with leading brachial plexus injury lawyers. The lawyers in our network have the experience needed to pursue money to improve your child’s future.

Birth injury cases can be complex, so it’s important to work with a lawyer who understands the causes of brachial plexus birth injuries and their long-term impact.

A brachial plexus injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation your child deserves.

Call us at (800) 914-1562 right now or get a free case review to find out how we can help you provide a brighter future for your child.