Optimizing Pregnancy Management in the Context of Undifferentiated Brachial Plexus Injury

Abstract

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) during pregnancy is a rare but significant obstetric complication that can lead to long-term morbidity for both the mother and the infant. The brachial plexus, a network of nerves originating from the spinal cord, controls the muscles of the shoulder, arm, and hand. The earliest written description of a brachial plexus injury is attributed to Homer circa 800 BC in The Iliad, where Hector strikes Teucer over the clavicle with a rock, rendering him incapable of wielding his bow [2]. Anatomically, the brachial plexus comprises five nerve roots (C5–T1) and occasionally receives contributions from C4 and T2 [3]. Injury to this plexus can result in varying degrees of paralysis and sensory loss. This article aims to explore the pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies for BPI in pregnancy, with a focus on optimizing outcomes.