The Mental Health Implications of Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injuries (OBPI) on Parents

BACKGROUND: Obstetric brachial plexus injuries (OBPI) can have mental health implications on parents coping with this injury to their newborn. The purpose of this study was to assess the mental health of mothers with newborns with an OBPI and identify resources that can help screen and treat mental health needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups of mothers were prospectively given a self-reported survey: 1) Newborns with OBPI; 2) Newborns in the nursery without OBPI; 3) Newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The survey consisted of demographic questions, the PHQ-9 and PCL-S screening tools, and parents’ exposure to community violence, family support and use of drugs or alcohol. RESULTS: Fifty-seven mothers were prospectively enrolled, and 30% (17/57) of mothers screened in for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBPI mothers had significantly higher rates of PTSD symptoms when compared to mothers of children in the full-term nursery (difference = 36.4%; p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found between groups regarding depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: OBPI can be very difficult to cope with for parents and family members. Forty-two percent of mothers with newborns with OBPI or children in the NICU screened in for PTSD symptoms. OBPI clinics should be staffed similarly to the NICU with clinical social workers to appropriately screen and treat parents with PTSD and depression symptoms.