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Infants With Congenital Muscular Torticollis: Demographic Factors, Clinical Characteristics, and Physical Therapy
Kelly R Greve1, Jane K Sweeney, Amy F Bailes
1Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy (Drs Greve and Bailes), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Rehabilitation, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (Drs Greve and Bailes), University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences, Cincinnati, Ohio; Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (Dr Sweeney), Provo, Utah; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Van Sant), Temple University, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Insights
This study analyzed congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) in infants, finding that physical therapy completion varied. Data can guide clinical practice for managing CMT effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common condition in infants.
- Understanding demographic factors and treatment patterns is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe demographic factors and baseline characteristics of infants with CMT.
- To examine physical therapy episode completion rates in infants with CMT.
- To identify implications for clinical practice based on patient data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data analysis of 445 infants diagnosed with CMT.
- Data extracted from a single-site registry.
- Comparison of patient groups based on physical therapy completion.
Main Results:
- The majority of infants were male (57%), Caucasian (63%), and firstborn (50%).
- Torticollis was typically detected by 3 months (89%), often presenting as mild (72%) left-sided CMT.
- Sixty-seven percent of infants completed physical therapy, with significant differences in age, range of motion, and muscle function between completion groups.
Conclusions:
- Clinical registry data can inform physical therapy practice for CMT.
- Findings can guide decisions on referral timing, care frequency, and clinician training.
- Optimizing physical therapy interventions is key for managing infants with CMT.
Purpose:
To describe demographic factors, baseline characteristics, and physical therapy episodes in infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), examine groups based on physical therapy completion, and identify implications for clinical practice.
Methods:
Retrospective data were extracted from a single-site registry of 445 infants with CMT.
Results:
Most infants were male (57%), Caucasian (63%), and firstborn (50%), with torticollis detected by 3 months old (89%) with a left (51%), mild (72%) CMT presentation. Cervical range of motion (ROM) limitations were greatest in passive lateral flexion and active rotation. Sixty-seven percent of infants completed an episode of physical therapy, 25% completed a partial episode, and 8% did not attend visits following the initial examination. Age at examination, ROM, and muscle function differed significantly between groups.
Conclusions:
Physical therapists may use clinical registry data to inform practice for timing of referral, frequency of care, and clinician training to manage infants with CMT.
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