CME Webinar: Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy and Shoulder Dystocia

The brachial plexus is a key group of nerves that exists around the shoulder, ensuring the proper function of each arm. This group of nerves can be affected by compression within the mother’s womb or during a difficult delivery, resulting in an injury known as neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) that causes loss of movement or weakness in the baby’s upper or lower arm. NBPP is an uncommon yet serious injury that only occurs in 1.5 out of 1,000 total births in the U.S. Though rare, it constitutes a very large category of litigation in obstetrics. Often, this injury results from a delivery complication known as shoulder dystocia, when the baby’s anterior shoulder gets caught above the mother’s pubic bone. This emergency represents a huge risk of morbidity for both the mother and fetus and is frequently associated with permanent birth-related injuries, including NBPP.

As part of our ongoing continuing medical education (CME) series, the Medical Mutual Risk Management Team has developed a webinar to help physicians understand the incidence of NBPP, with and without recognized shoulder dystocia. Participants will also learn about the history of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Task Force Report on NBPP, which serves as a valuable resource for understanding how to predict, manage, and treat NBPP. This webinar is led by Robert Gherman, MD, an ACOG Fellow and a member of Medical Mutual’s external counsel network.

During this educational webinar, participants can expect to learn about the following:

1. The ACOG Task Force Report on NBPP and what led to its formation
2. The incidence of NBPP, both with and without recognized shoulder dystocia
3. The biomechanics of vaginal delivery, with focus on the pathophysiology and causation of NBPP
4. How simulation and team training can improve fetal outcomes
5. Specific interventions that may reduce the frequency of NBPP

The webinar can be accessed here: “Update on Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy and Shoulder Dystocia.” Members will need to login to view the webinar and can claim CME credit after completing a post-webinar test and evaluation.

Our additional CME-eligible webinars are available here: https://www.medicalmutualgroup.com/rm-webinars.

Curi is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

For more information about the accreditation of this program, please contact our CME Team at 800.662.7917 or at CMETeam@mmicnc.com.