The Developing Shoulder Has a Limited Capacity to Recover After a Short Duration of Paralysis

Neonatal brachial plexus injuries during childbirth can cause shoulder paralysis in 1 out of every 250 births in the United States.^1,2 Although 80% of these infants recover spontaneously and have no residual complications, a number of them have persistent paralysis and functional deficits.^1,3,4 Surgeons are thus faced with a choice on if and when to intervene. However, the time course of persistent paralysis leading to permanent functional defects in the neonate is unclear.