Pediatric Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Feryal Gün Soysal explained crooked neck disease and its treatment in babies for you.
Torticollis in newborns may occur depending on the baby's position in the womb or after a difficult birth.
Although it can be quite distressing if your baby has a tilted head or difficulty turning his or her neck, most babies do not feel pain from torticollis and the problem can usually get better with simple position changes or stretching exercises at home.
What are the causes?
Curved neck disease is very common in newborns, regardless of whether they are boys or girls. It can usually occur during birth or within the first 3 months after birth.
The causes of crooked neck disease cannot be definitively concluded. However, there may be an increased chance that a baby will develop torticollis if a fetus is stuck in the uterus, is in an unusual position such as being in a breech position with the baby's hip facing the birth canal, or if forceps or vacuum devices were used to deliver a baby during labor. applies pressure. This large, rope-like muscle runs from behind the ears to the collarbone on each side of the neck. Extra pressure on one side of this muscle can tighten it, making it difficult for a baby to turn their neck.
Some babies with torticollis may also have developmental hip dysplasia, another condition caused by an unusual position in the womb or a difficult birth.
What are the symptoms?
Babies with torticollis will behave like other babies, except for activities that involve turning over. However, a baby with torticollis may tilt his head in one direction, choose to look over one shoulder instead of following his surroundings with his eyes, prefer only one breast while breastfeeding, or may not be able to turn his head fully when trying to turn towards you.
Some babies with torticollis may develop positional plagiocephaly, or a small lump in the neck that resembles a knot in a tight muscle, because they always lie in one direction. As torticollis heals, these problems tend to disappear.
How is its treatment?
Torticollis Babies with SLI are usually taught neck stretching exercises by the doctor to do at home. In some cases it may be recommended to take a baby to a physiotherapist for more intensive treatment. After treatment begins, the doctor may check your baby every 2-4 weeks to see if the torticollis is getting better.
Most babies with torticollis improve with position changes and stretching exercises. It may take up to 6 months to disappear completely, and in some cases, a year or longer. In cases where improvement cannot be achieved with exercise, muscle relaxation surgery may be required. You can get detailed information about your baby's condition from a pediatric surgeon.
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