Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate hand function in children with Erb
upper brachial plexus palsy. METHOD: Hand function was evaluated in 25 children
(eight males; 17 females) with a diagnosed upper (C5/C6) brachial plexus birth
injury. Of these children,
22 had undergone primary nerve reconstruction and 13
of the 25 had undergone simultaneous and/or secondary shoulder procedures. Hand
function was evaluated using the nine-hole peg test at a mean age of 9 years (SD
2y 2mo), and compared with the contralateral, uninvolved hand. Results were
compared with age- and sex-matched population norms, and correlated with shoulder
outcomes using the Gilbert and Miami scores. RESULTS: Although shoulder function
was graded as good or excellent in 24 of 25 children, hand function as measured
by the nine-hole peg test was significantly altered in the involved hand in 80%
(p=0.008). On average the participants took 18.8% longer to complete the task
with the involved hand; this was significantly different from the expected
difference of 7.2% (p=0.008). INTERPRETATION: Hand function is impaired in
individuals with upper brachial plexus birth injury.
These results suggest that
from the initiation of treatment in this population, attention should be paid to
recognizing and focusing therapy on subtle limitations of hand function.
CI - (c) The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (c) 2011 Mac Keith
Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS