Kryvoshya – one of the most common diseases in newborns. The main cause of the disease is considered to be congenital underdevelopment of the sternoclavicular-mammoid muscle located on the lateral surface of the neck. With torticollis, the baby's head is tilted in the direction of the problem muscle and turned in the opposite direction. Hereditary factors and acquired diseases have a significant impact on the development of the disease.
There are two types of torticollis in newborns – congenital and acquired. Treatment of both forms is mandatory, as the anomaly can seriously affect the baby's health.
- osteogenic (injury of the bone-cartilaginous apparatus and the formation of additional vertebral processes) and arthrogenic (injury of the joints in the neck) – observed in bone tuberculosis, problems with cervical vertebrae after neck injuries, inflammation of bone tissue;
- myogenic – the cause of which is an abnormality of muscle development (dysplasia of the sternocleidomastoid muscle);
- neurogenic (damage to the receptors of the neuromuscular apparatus with impaired muscle tone) – can be caused by cerebral palsy, tumors;
- cutaneous (subcutaneous tissue and skin lesions) – the pathological position of the head causes large scars that occur as a result of burns and injuries;
- desmogenic, the cause of which is an inflammatory process in the neck area (phlegmon, lymphadenitis).
Among the reasons that can contribute to the development of this disease, special attention should be paid to the following: cesarean section, breech position of the fetus, difficult childbirth, low water, use of obstetric forceps and vacuum pads during childbirth, stimulation of labor, damage and intrauterine inflammation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Signs of torticollis in a newborn child with the congenital form can be noticed immediately. The acquired form develops after some time after exposure to a certain factor. For example, if the child spends most of the time during the period of sleep and wakefulness on one side, there is a torticollis in infants. Also, the torticollis in newborns occurs due to the fact that the toy, which is designed to attract the baby, is always in one corner or the mother regularly carries it incorrectly in her arms. As a result of these actions, a symptom of a typically tilted head to one side may appear. Therefore, it is important to change the baby's position in the crib.
A thorough examination of the baby, palpation, assessment of movements in the neck area (active and passive), the presence of a posture characteristic of torticollis, as well as additional examination methods (if necessary) will help a specialist diagnose muscular torticollis.
From auxiliary methods, the specialist can prescribe ultrasound of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, radiography. Pathology requires constant monitoring by a pediatric neurologist. In order to rule out concomitant pathology, neurosonography and ultrasound of the hip joints are indicated.
The first signs of the disease are usually not too pronounced, they appear with congenital torticollis over time. As a rule, this happens at the age of about two months, when the baby can hold his head independently.
Cryvosis in newborns, the symptoms of which are described above, has a negative effect on the carotid artery, as a result of which the flow of blood to the brain becomes difficult, and the nervous system suffers primarily from this, as a result of this process – vegetative-vascular dystonia, migraine and brain disorders. As a result of tracheal displacement, breathing becomes difficult, and disturbances in the formation of the skull and facial muscles can cause chronic otolaryngological and ophthalmological diseases – these are the next signs of torticollis in babies.
Treatment of congenital torticollis is usually conservative. And the explanation for this is simple – all tissues and muscles are still very pliable. Severe lesions that lead to a pronounced defect, as well as situations with a dubious result with conservative treatment, are treated surgically when the child reaches the age of 2.
To conservative methods, doctors include special laying on the side to stretch muscles, massage (especially effective massage for spastic torticollis), thermal procedures, electrophoresis and corrective gymnastics. From an early age (preferably from birth), children with torticollis are recommended to practice in the pool at a water temperature of 35-36 °C. In special cases, a specialist can prescribe plaster bandages and collars. An orthopedic pillow also has a positive effect on torticollis. There are several types of pillows that your pediatrician will tell you about.
Forecast of torticollis – favorable, with early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Proper organization of the children's place, hard or moderately hard mattress, regular examination by an orthopedic surgeon, massage and gymnastics according to the age of the baby – all this will help to avoid the disease. Carefully observe the child and contact the pediatrician in a timely manner in case of questions.
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