The primary potential long-term complication for infants who experience shoulder dystocia during delivery is brachial plexus injury (BPI) NICE NG235. This injury can manifest as Erb's palsy or Klumpke's palsy, potentially leading to varying degrees of weakness or paralysis in the affected arm NICE NG235. While many brachial plexus injuries resolve spontaneously, some can result in persistent neurological deficits, impacting motor function and sensation in the arm over the long term NICE NG235. The severity and long-term impact of these injuries depend on the extent of nerve damage and the specific nerves affected NICE NG235. Research indicates that the specific maneuvers used during delivery for shoulder dystocia can influence the outcome for the infant Elbarbary et al. 2024.
Key References
- NG235 - Intrapartum care
- NG72 - Developmental follow-up of children and young people born preterm
- CKS - Postnatal care
- CKS - Head injury
- CKS - Urinary tract infection (lower) - women
- (Elbarbary et al., 2024): Stratification of outcome of shoulder dystocia according to maneuver used for delivery, retrospective cohort and meta-analysis.