The prognostic value of concurrent phrenic nerve palsy in newborn children with Erb's palsy.

The prognostic value of concurrent phrenic nerve palsy in newborn babies with Erb's palsy was investigated. The records of 191 babies with Erb's palsy were reviewed retrospectively at two institutions. Poor spontaneous return of the motor function of the limb was found for infants both with and without concurrent phrenic nerve palsy. Concurrent phrenic nerve palsy in newborn babies with Erb's palsy has no prognostic value in predicting spontaneous motor recovery of the limb.