1 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine SUNY—Downstate Medical Center 450 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203
Three children, aged 5 years, 7 years, and 8 years, were seen in the Pediatric Unit of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Kings County Hospital Center with brachial plexus palsy.
The radial, median, and ulnar nerves were affected in varying degrees with concomitant atrophy of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles. Electrodiagnostic. examinations reinforced the diagnosis of muscle atrophy.
After exhaustive questioning of the parents, we finally found that these children watched television for long periods with the involved arm hanging over the back of a chair, resulting in pressure on the axillary portion of the brachial plexus.