Aspects of activities and participation in daily life related to body structure and function in adolescents with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy: a descriptive follow-up study

AIM: To analyse whether activities and participation in daily life differed between adolescents with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) and their able-bodied peers. METHOD: Fifty-one teenagers born in 1985-1987 with OBPP and a comparison group consisting of 116 age-matched adolescents in a socioeconomically and socioculturally representative area answered a self-report questionnaire concerning their daily life, school performance and friendships. The OBPP group was divided into three functional groups according to the degree of severity of the OBPP. RESULTS: Subjects with OBPP had interests, activities and a social life very similar to those of the teenagers in the comparison group. Differences were, however, found in self-esteem for sport/motor activities, with self-esteem being significantly lower in teenagers with the most severe type of OBPP. The OBPP groups were concerned about the risks for their affected and unaffected limb. CONCLUSION: In our society, adolescents with OBPP report a typical teenage life today. However, the indications for distress and worry related to the disability have to be considered.