Isolated radial nerve injury in newborns: Highlights on diagnosis

Isolated radial nerve palsy is rare and must be differentiated from obstetric brachial plexus palsy to ensure the correct course of action. The authors present a case of isolated radial nerve palsy in a female neonate, with subsequent treatment and recovery, and a literature review.

Moustafa Eldalal
Paediatric Senior Clinical Fellow
moustafa_badreldin@outlook.com or moustafa.eldalal@nhs.net

Michael Gunn
Paediatric Junior Clinical Fellow

Siddhartha Paliwal
Paediatric Consultant and Neonatal Lead

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Eldalal M., Gunn M., Paliwal S. Isolated radial nerve injury in newborns: Highlights on diagnosis. Infant 2024; 20(4): 116-19.

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Keywords

obstetric brachial plexus palsy; isolated radial nerve palsy; Erb’s palsy; Klumpke’s palsy; Horner syndrome

Key points

Radial nerve palsy is rare; however, it can be misdiagnosed as obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Hence, differentiating between them is important.
Radial nerve palsy presents with wrist and fingers drop; however, arm and shoulder movements are normal. Palmar grasp reflex is preserved. Prognosis is usually excellent with full recovery.
Erb’s palsy can be excluded if Moro reflex is normal.
Klumpke’s palsy can be excluded if palmar grasp reflex is present.

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