Abstract
The problem of the accuracy of current data regarding prognosis of brachial plexus palsy in the newborn infant was studied by means of a retrospective review of hospital records, letters to parents of affected infants, and follow-up examinations of available children. Only 11 cases of mild upper plexus injuries were found in a review of 19,314 newborn infants' charts, an incidence of 0.57 per 1,000 live births. Four cases were available for examination and 4 others were evaluated from follow-up records. Three were lost to follow-up. No instance of permanent paralysis was found, thus raising the possibility that while permanent paralysis is still seen, it may now represent a diminishing minority of the total, at least in the United States with modern obstetrical care. This is in contrast to the opinion one might formulate from a review of the orthopedic literature on this subject.

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