Research article

Incidence of early posterior shoulder dislocation in brachial plexus birth palsy

Lars B Dahlin¹ , Kristina Erichs² , Charlotte Andersson¹ , Catharina Thornqvist¹ , Clas Backman³ , Henrik Düppe⁴ , Pelle Lindqvist⁵ and Marianne Forslund²

¹  Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

²  Child and Habilitation Unit, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

³  Department of Hand Surgery, Norrland University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden

⁴  Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

⁵  Department of Paediatrics/Urology/Gynecology/Endocrinology, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury 2007, 2:24doi:10.1186/1749-7221-2-24

Published:	16 December 2007

Abstract

Background

Posterior dislocation of the shoulder in brachial plexus birth palsy during the first year of life is rare but the incidence increases with age. The aim was to calculate the incidence of these lesions in children below one year of age.

Methods

The incidence of brachial plexus birth lesion and occurrence of posterior shoulder dislocation was calculated based on a prospective follow up of all brachial plexus patients at an age below one in Malmö municipality, Sweden, 2000–2005.

Results

The incidence of brachial plexus birth palsy was 3.8/1000 living infants and year with a corresponding incidence of posterior shoulder dislocation (history, clinical examination and x-ray) during the first year of 0.28/1000 living infants and year, i.e. 7.3% of all brachial plexus birth palsies.

Conclusion

All children with a brachial plexus birth lesion (incidence 3.8‰) should be screened, above the assessment of neurological recovery, during the first year of life for posterior dislocation of the shoulder (incidence 0.28‰) since such a condition may occur in 7% of children with a brachial plexus birth lesion.