Obstetric brachial plexus lesions: a study of 74 children registered with the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (March 1998-March 1999).

Seventy-four children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy registered with the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit were prospectively followed for a minimum of 2 years. Thirty-nine (52.7%) spontaneously recovered to normal or nearly normal levels and a further 29 (39.3%) regained good function in the upper limb. The most important secondary deformity involved the gleno-humeral joint and 20 patients (27%) needed surgical correction. Two more children await operation for shoulder deformity. The brachial plexus was explored in nine patients (12.2%) and repaired in seven.