Congenital Muscular Torticollis: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Clinical Practice

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) Vol. 144; no. 2; p. e20190582
• Main Authors: Sargent, Barbara, Kaplan, Sandra L, Coulter, Colleen, Baker, Cynthia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Academy of Pediatrics 01-08-2019
• Subjects: Biomedical Research - methods; Biomedical Research - trends; Care and treatment; Health care industry; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infants; Muscles; Parents - education; Pathogenesis; Pediatric research; Pediatricians; Pediatricians - education; Pediatricians - trends; Pediatrics; Posture - physiology; Practice; Services; State-of-the-Art Review; Sternocleidomastoid muscle; Torticollis; Torticollis - congenital; Torticollis - diagnosis; Torticollis - therapy
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-0582

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common postural deformity evident shortly after birth, typically characterized by ipsilateral cervical lateral flexion and contralateral cervical rotation due to unilateral shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. New evidence is emerging on the pathogenesis of CMT, the negative long-term consequences of delaying intervention, and the importance of early identification and early intervention to maximize outcomes. Our purpose in this article is to inform pediatricians and health care providers about new research evidence and share selected recommendations and implementation strategies specifically relevant to pediatric practice to optimize outcomes and health services for infants with CMT.