In plain words
Torticollis is a condition in which a baby's neck is tight on one side. The head tilts toward that side and turns more easily to the other. It is often called wry neck. Some babies have a firm lump in the early on, and many improve with positioning and movement. Parents may notice that a baby turns only one way, prefers one side for feeding, or has a flat spot on one side of the head. Clinicians check whether the cause is muscle, a positional habit, or another problem, such as a broken collarbone. Positioning habits can contribute, and a pediatric team can refer to physical therapy when needed. Your pediatric team can explain the cause for your baby.
The deeper version
Congenital muscular torticollis involves sternocleidomastoid fibrosis or tightness, presenting as head tilt and rotational limitation. Positional torticollis from intrauterine or postnatal posture is more common and generally resolves with positioning and stretching. Differential diagnosis includes clavicle fracture, which can present as unilateral arm or neck discomfort during feeding, and cervical or neurologic causes. Plagiocephaly often accompanies it. Physical therapy is the usual first-line management in infants, with surgical release reserved for persistent cases. Evidence for specific stretching protocols comes from small trials and cohort series.
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What mothers here say about torticollis
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Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Prevention and management of positional skull deformities in infants, Pediatrics 2011