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Brachial neuritis, also known as brachial plexus neuropathy and neuralgic amyotrophy, is a well-defined clinical entity characterized by the acute onset of severe pain in the shoulder and upper arm, followed 3 to 10 days later by the rapid development of arm weakness, proximal more than distal, with sensory and reflex impairment. Although brachial neuritis is mainly a disease of young adults, a few cases have been described in children. Most cases in children are sporadic,1-6 some are related to a hereditary disposition,7,8 and only two have followed immunization for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP).3,9 Brachial neuritis following tetanus toxoid immunization has been reported in adults.3,6,10,11
The following case reports illustrate the typical clinical picture of brachial neuritis in two infants and emphasize the good prognosis of this condition and its occurrence after tetanus toxoid immunization.
CASE REPORTS
Case 1
A 6-month-old female received her second DTP inoculation in her right thigh. She developed fever the same day and was given acetaminophen. The following day, she developed a rash that was attributed to a viral exanthem. The rash resolved in 2 days but the fever continued. One week later, she stopped moving her left arm and cried every time it was touched. No recent trauma was reported and her temperature …
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