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What Causes An Infant To Tilt His Neck Towards Right While Awake?
Question: Hi doctor.. my 2 month old baby boy is very active, feeds well and sleeps well.. I have a concern about his neck posture during sleep/play time.. He is able to tilt and turn his neck without pain during feeding/shoulder time etc.. Once asleep he lies down however we put him in the crib.. but while awake or during play time, he always tilts his neck in a particular way.. head tilted towards right and chin rotated towards left.. When we force hI'm to turn the other way he turns and then he himself turns that way too.. but naturally his neck goes in one way only.. Please let me know if this is cause for concern
I have uploaded an image of his neck position to give you better clarity.. Many of.his playtime pics have this posture
I have uploaded an image of his neck position to give you better clarity.. Many of.his playtime pics have this posture
Brief Answer:
Neck posture is normal - he needs neurological evaluation please
Detailed Answer:
Hi... thank you for consulting on healthcaremagic.
I remember answering about the same baby few days back. I have just seen the image of your baby I have few points of concern.
1. The baby doesn't seem to be a 2 month old infant..he seems more.
2. I am not worried about the neck posture, but I am worried about the general posture of the baby with arching of back and the way he is keeping his upper limbs, he seems to be having a generalized stiffness all over the body.
3. With tongue protruding out I think that there should also be a hypothyroidism possibility.
4. The way he's keeping his right hand, Erb's palsy is a possibility.
5. I suggest that you seek your pediatrician's help regarding the development of the brain of the baby and look for to rule out cerebral palsy also.
I am again reiterating - do not worry about neck posture alone. Your baby needs a complete neurological evaluation.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Neck posture is normal - he needs neurological evaluation please
Detailed Answer:
Hi... thank you for consulting on healthcaremagic.
I remember answering about the same baby few days back. I have just seen the image of your baby I have few points of concern.
1. The baby doesn't seem to be a 2 month old infant..he seems more.
2. I am not worried about the neck posture, but I am worried about the general posture of the baby with arching of back and the way he is keeping his upper limbs, he seems to be having a generalized stiffness all over the body.
3. With tongue protruding out I think that there should also be a hypothyroidism possibility.
4. The way he's keeping his right hand, Erb's palsy is a possibility.
5. I suggest that you seek your pediatrician's help regarding the development of the brain of the baby and look for to rule out cerebral palsy also.
I am again reiterating - do not worry about neck posture alone. Your baby needs a complete neurological evaluation.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sir.. he is smaller than other kids of his age actually as he was a little premature.. only close to 4 kg.. you probably felt so coz of the angle in which the pic was taken
We had checked congenital hypothyroidism during newborn screening it was negative.. I was mildly hypothyroid so this was checked
Erbs palsy is unlikely as his hands are not floppy and he moves both his hands well during play time
I'm not sure about cerebral palsy, I will show a paediatrician to be sure.. he had an apgar of 9 and all his reflexes have been confirmed.. he has started lifting his neck also now and his muscles r not floppy..
He is making good eye contact and has started smiling too.. my only concern is, due to breast milk insufficiency he went through hypernatremia (sodium 167) 7 days after birth.. no hypoglycemia or jaundice.. it was reversed slowly through iv fluids.. they confirmed it had no impact on him but that worry is still there
We had checked congenital hypothyroidism during newborn screening it was negative.. I was mildly hypothyroid so this was checked
Erbs palsy is unlikely as his hands are not floppy and he moves both his hands well during play time
I'm not sure about cerebral palsy, I will show a paediatrician to be sure.. he had an apgar of 9 and all his reflexes have been confirmed.. he has started lifting his neck also now and his muscles r not floppy..
He is making good eye contact and has started smiling too.. my only concern is, due to breast milk insufficiency he went through hypernatremia (sodium 167) 7 days after birth.. no hypoglycemia or jaundice.. it was reversed slowly through iv fluids.. they confirmed it had no impact on him but that worry is still there
Brief Answer:
He needs follow up for development
Detailed Answer:
Hi.... I understand your concern.
As he had the issue of hypernatremia during the early infancy he will require follow up for his developmental assessment by a Pediatrician.
As you say that he is moving all his limbs equally well, I do not see any problem here. But at the same time because of his prematurity during birth and his hypernatremia I suggest you be under regular follow up with your pediatrician for your son's developmental assessment.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
He needs follow up for development
Detailed Answer:
Hi.... I understand your concern.
As he had the issue of hypernatremia during the early infancy he will require follow up for his developmental assessment by a Pediatrician.
As you say that he is moving all his limbs equally well, I do not see any problem here. But at the same time because of his prematurity during birth and his hypernatremia I suggest you be under regular follow up with your pediatrician for your son's developmental assessment.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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