Frequency of Erb’s Palsy in Islamabad Capital Territory and Punjab Region, Pakistan

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of Erb’s palsy, its associated risk factors and health-related quality of life of these patients in Islamabad and different cities of Punjab. Methodology: A cross-sectional study whereby 242 patients with erb’s palsy were analyzed. Data was collected from different government and private sector hospitals of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, Gujranwala, Okara and D.G khan (Jampur) through direct patient contact and postal and electronic mail during a period of 6 months. Two questionnaires used to assess factors and quality of life, were Questionnaire of Erb’s palsy and WHO Quality of life BREF questionnaire. All patients of erb’s palsy aged below 12 years were included. Results: The frequency of Erb’s palsy recorded in Islamabad and different cities of Punjab is about 1.67% with Okara having the highest frequency rate of 3.13%. Among the Fetal-associated factors; Macrosomia 107(44.2%), among Maternal-associated factors; Multiparity 150(62.0%) and among Obstetric-associated factors; assisted vaginal delivery 134(55.4%) had the highest frequency. Quality of life in patients was found to be moderately affected with mean 3.18±0.47 SD. All the physical, psychological and environmental domains were equally affected with mean 3.19±0.39 SD, mean 3.14±0.56 SD and mean 3.22±0.65 SD respectively. Conclusion: The frequency of Erb’s palsy is highest in Okara among different cities of Punjab and Islamabad, Pakistan. Macrosomia, multiparity and assisted vaginal delivery was the highest associated factors with erb’s palsy. Quality of life was moderately affected in patients with erb’s palsy.

Initial Challenges and Opportunities for the Parents of Children Born with ERB's Palsy in Rural and Urban Areas of Punjab, Pakistan

“…This unfortunate occurrence is commonly associated with arduous childbirths, where the delicate nerves of the brachial plexus sustain undue strain (Andersen, Watt, & Olson, 2006). The condition in question may also be attributed to the hyperextension of limbs during posterior vaginal birth (Nauman et al, 2022). Two additional potential causes to consider are the insufficiency of shoulder rotation within an oblique posture, and the persistent pressure exerted by the posterior shoulder against the sacral eminence in the moments preceding birth (Frade, Gómez-Salgado, Jacobsohn, & Florindo-Silva, 2019).…”

Psychological distress among parents of children with obstetric brachial plexus injury visiting pediatric departments

“…This sample size of 45 was calculated using the Raosoft calculator by keeping a 5% margin of error, a 95% confidence interval, and a 3% response distribution [19]. However, the study recruited 100 parents using a nonpurposive sampling technique.…”