Brachial plexus injuries in babies born in hospital: an appraisal of risk factors in a developing country.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the magnitude of risk factors associated with brachial plexus in infants born in hospital in Benghazi. A total of 7829 babies were examined over a period of 6 months. Twenty-eight had brachial palsy, giving an incidence of 3.6 per 1000 livebirths. Significant (P less than 0.001) perinatal risk factors observed were maternal parity greater than or equal to 6, maternal diabetes, instrumental deliveries, shoulder dystocia and foetal macrosomia. Other risk factors observed included breech extraction, postmaturity and prematurity (P less than 0.02). Complete brachial plexus injury was seen in 12 cases and six infants had residual handicap on follow-up at 18-24 months.