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Congenital Muscular Torticollis Research Paper

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Congenital Muscular Torticollis Congenital muscular torticollis is a condition in which the neck muscle that goes from the bottom of the skull to the collarbone (sternocleidomastoid muscle) is shorter than normal, causing the head to tilt to one side. The condition is present at birth (congenital). CAUSES The cause of this condition is not known. This condition is often related to an injury to the sternocleidomastoid muscle or a deformity of this muscle. This muscle may be injured or deformed as a result of: An abnormal position of the head in the womb. A difficult birth. A birth in which the buttocks or feet come out first (breech birth). Other muscles or bones that are not formed correctly. A neck spinal cord abnormality. …show more content…

If you have any questions, contact the health care provider. Carry your child as shown by your health care provider. You want your child to have to look away from the short side of his or her neck. This will stretch your child’s sternocleidomastoid muscle. Support your child's head when he or she is in a carrier or car seat. Put toys where your child has to turn to see them. Toys that make sounds work best for getting your child's attention. Put your child in a crib so that looking out means turning his or her head. Change positions often when feeding your child. Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child's health care provider. This is important. SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF: Exercise at home is not helping. Your child is having trouble balancing, especially when sitting upright. Your child is having trouble feeding. Usually, stretching the sternocleidomastoid muscle will cause it to lengthen over time.T Support your child's head when he or she is in a carrier or car seat.T Put toys where your child has to turn to see them. T A slightly flat face on one side is not a symptom of this

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