Newborn Baby Suffers Arm Length Discrepancy After Complicated Hospital Treatment

Case Overview

This case involves the care of a male child born via cesarean section. After his birth, he was admitted into the Neonatal ICU at a hospital in South Carolina. In the weeks following, he manifested clinical signs and symptoms of infection. During his complicated and lengthy treatment at the hospital, the child manifested a humeral discrepancy with his left arm shorter than his right. The plaintiffs attorneys seek to understand how the permanent arm length discrepancy will affect his quality of life.

Questions to the Pediatrics expert and their responses

Can you opine on the child's limitations later on in life based on a physical disability to an upper extremity?

Given the very individualized nature of the condition, further understanding of the patient's current interest/activities (which will be speculative at this young age) is required before rendering an opinion as to how it will impact quality of life in the future.

What types of treatments/procedures will he need as he grows?

I am able to assess the child's disability, therapy needs, future limitations, potential need for bracing/prosthesis, and general surgical procedures that may be required.

What experience do you have working with children who have injuries to upper extremities?

I have treated pediatric patients with arm length discrepancies in the past. It is an extremely rare situation. Even at Mayo Clinic where I trained and where rare patients often present, I saw perhaps 4 patients like this over a period of 4-5 years and perhaps the same number in the 20 years since then while working in private practice. I work with a variety of patients who have complex issues and routinely assess their condition and determine how they may be limited in the future.

About the expert

This highly qualified and board certified expert completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic, and has remained in active practice for over 20 years, 14 of which as a Medical Director of the inpatient Rehabilitation unit at a major regional healthcare center. He is Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as a member of other highly regarded professional societies. His expertise includes management of complex physical such as the one described in this case. He is also extensively published in his field and has given invited presentations nationwide.