Based on the results of clinical, electromyographic and electroneurographic examinations of 42 children with birth paralyses of the upper extremities, the conclusion regarding the injury in birth of essentially peripheric nerves with relative intactness of the spinal cord is made. The clinicoelectromyographic picture corresponds the spinal level of the injury only in 4,8% of the cases, and the combined nature of the injury may be assumed in 7,1% of the patients.