What it means
An injury to the upper nerves of the brachial plexus (from the fifth and sixth neck vertebrae), most often when the baby's head and shoulder are pulled apart during a difficult birth, such as a shoulder dystocia or a large baby. The arm hangs limp at the side, turned inward with the elbow straight (the "waiter's tip" position). The Moro reflex is missing on that side, but the hand grasp usually works. Most babies recover over months. It is named after Wilhelm Erb, a German neurologist.
For the nurse
Handle the arm gently, support it when holding or dressing the baby, and do not lift the baby under the arms. Teach parents the range-of-motion exercises the therapist orders, and to dress the affected arm first.
At a glance
| Also written | Erb's palsy, Erb-Duchenne palsy |
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Related terms
paralysis
Loss of the ability to move a part of the body, and sometimes loss of feeling in it.