Erb's palsy is a kind of paralysis caused by traumatic injury to the upper brachial plexus. It occurs most commonly in childbirth from forcible traction during delivery, with injury to one or more cervical nerve roots. The signs of Erb's palsy include loss of sensation in the arm and paralysis and atrophy of the deltoid, the biceps, and the brachialis muscles. The arm on the affected side hangs loosely with the elbow extended and the forearm pronated.
Though two very different conditions, both Erb's palsy and cerebral palsy can result from complications during labor and delivery.