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Incidence of Somatic Dysfunction in Healthy Newborns
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|October 27, 2015
Summary
Somatic dysfunction is common in newborns, affecting 99% of those studied. Longer labor durations were associated with increased somatic dysfunction severity in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment may reduce newborn complications.
- The incidence of birth-related somatic dysfunction in newborns is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and patterns of newborn somatic dysfunction.
- To correlate dysfunction with maternal/labor history and initial newborn assessments.
Main Methods:
- Physical examination of 100 healthy newborns (6-72 hours old) for cranial, cervical, lumbar, and sacral somatic dysfunction.
- Calculation of a Somatic Dysfunction Severity Score (SDSS).
- Correlation of SDSS with maternal/labor characteristics.
Main Results:
- 99% of newborns exhibited at least one sphenobasilar synchondrosis strain pattern.
- High incidences of condylar compression (95%), cervical (91%) and lumbar (94%) motion restriction, and posterior sacral base (80%) were observed.
- Increased labor duration correlated with higher SDSS (P=.04).
Conclusions:
- Somatic dysfunction is prevalent in healthy newborns across multiple regions.
- The severity of newborn somatic dysfunction is linked to labor duration.
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