dendritic processes of many nerve cell bodies (Haines 1). Brachial neuritis occurs .
when there is damage to the brachial plexus, the area where the nerve from the .
spinal cord splits into the individual arm nerves. .
Damage to the brachial plexus is generally related to a direct injury or .
trauma to the nerve, stretch type injuries (such as a jerking of the arm), pressure .
caused by injuries in the area of the brachial plexus. Causes may be related to .
pressure congenital abnormalities tumors, or injury by toxins, chemicals, or drugs .
(HealthCentral 2). Some doctors and nurses believe the actual cause of brachial .
neuritis, is that while receiving an immunization, or during surgery the brachial .
plexus nerve ending has been hit during these procedures (Reneer ).
In the report "Following Routine Childhood Immunization for Diphtheria,.
Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP): Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature" .
by Aline Hamati-Hadad and Gerald Fenichel. This report examined the picture .
of this disease in two infants and emphasized the prognosis and its occurrence .
after tetanus toxoid immunizations. Brachial neuritis was once known as serum .
neuritis due to complications from passive immunization against tetanus, using .
horse serum. Incidence reduced since the use of active immunization with tetanus .
toxoid. "The Institute of Medicine, in its report on Adverse Events Associated .
with Childhood Vaccines, indicated that the evidence favors casual association .
between tetanus toxoid administration and the subsequent development of .
brachial neuritis". The infants described in this report were healthy and were.
of normal health and had received different diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis .
(DTP). This condition is benign with spontaneous resolution, there is the .
possibility of recurrence with repeated vaccinations. Completion of the routine .
immunization schedule is unlikely in most children (Hamati-Haddad and .
According to the National Vaccine Information Center, "Brain and nerve disorders such as encephalopathy, optic neuritis, partial facial paralysis, and brachial plexus neuropathy as well as vasculitis have also been reported following the flu vaccine....