Early Elbow Flexion Contracture Predicts Shoulder Contracture in Infants with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

Abstract

To determine if children who present with an elbow flexion contracture (EFC) from brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) are more likely to develop shoulder contracture and undergo surgical treatment. Retrospective review of children <2years of age with BPBI who presented to a single children's hospital from 1993 to 2020. Age, elbow and shoulder range of motion (ROM), imaging measurements, and surgical treatment and outcome were analyzed. Patients with an EFC of ≥10° were included in the study sample. Data from 2445 clinical evaluations (1190 patients) were assessed. The final study cohort included 72 EFC cases matched with 230 non-EFC controls. Three patients lacked sufficient follow-up data. There were 299 included patients who showed no differences between study and control groups with respect to age, sex, race, ethnicity, or functional score. Patients with EFC had 12° less shoulder range of motion (95% CI,5°-20°; P<.001) and had 2.5 times the odds of shoulder contracture (OR,2.5; 95% CI,1.3-4.7; P=.006). For each additional 5° of EFC, the odds of shoulder contracture increased by 50% (OR,1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8; P<.001) and odds of shoulder procedure increased by 62% (OR,1.62; 95% CI,1.04-2.53; P=.03). Sensitivity of EFC for predicting shoulder contracture was 49% and specificity was 82%. In patients with BPBI <2years of age, presence of EFC can be used as a screening tool in identifying shoulder contractures that may otherwise be difficult to assess. Prompt referral should be arranged for evaluation at a BPBI specialty clinic, because delayed presentation risks worsening shoulder contracture and potentially more complicated surgery.