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Klumpke paralysis
Other Names for this Disease
- Dejerine-Klumpke palsy
- Klumpke's palsy
- Lower brachial plexus palsy
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Overview
Klumpke paralysis is a type of brachial palsy in newborns. Signs and symptoms include weakness and loss of movement of the arm and hand. Some babies experience drooping of the eyelid on the opposite side of the face as well.[1][2] This symptom may also be referred to as Horner syndrome.[2]
Klumpke paralysis is caused by an injury to the nerves of the brachial plexus which may result from a difficult delivery. This injury can cause a stretching (neuropraxia,), tearing (called “avulsion” when the tear is at the spine, and “rupture” when it is not), or scarring (neuroma) of the brachial plexus nerves. Most infants with Klumpke paralysis have the more mild form of injury (neuropraxia) and often recover within 6 months.[1][3]
References
- Brachial palsy in newborns. MedlinePlus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001395.htm. Accessed February 24, 2010.
- Hill A. Neurological problems of the newborn. In: Bradley WG et al. Neurology in Clinical Practice, 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008.
- NINDS Erb-Duchenne and Dejerine-Klumpke Palsies Information Page National. Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brachial_plexus_birth/brachial_plexus_birth.htm. Accessed February 24, 2010.
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On this page
General Information
- MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
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- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
- MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Klumpke paralysis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
Selected Full-Text Journal Articles
- Ruchelsman DE, Pettrone S, Price AE, Grossman J. Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: An overview of early treatment options. Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. 2009;67(1):83-9.