Features predictive of brachial plexus injury during labour.

The labours of 8 patients which resulted in the birth of babies with brachial plexus injury were studied. Four of the mothers were Black, 1 was Asian and 3 were White. Seven had instrumental deliveries. All babies were above average birth weight. Shoulder dystocia occurred in 7, with 5 of these showing abnormal partographic patterns. The abnormal active phase on the partogram should serve as a first stage warning of the possibility of shoulder dystocia. Methods of management of this second stage complication are reviewed.