What is Erb's palsy?

Also known as: Erb-Duchenne palsy, brachial plexus birth palsy/damage.

The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that start in the spinal cord (near the neck) and form the nerves that allow the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers to move and feel. “Palsy” means weakness. Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial nerve palsy that occurs in newborn babies which is characterized by weakness, loss of feeling and difficulty moving the affected arm.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM