Last reviewed: 3 Feb 2021
Last updated: 20 Nov 2018
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Other diagnostic factors
- twin birth
- nonvaried supine sleep and resting position
- decreased prone awake time
- head tilt
- head rotated with decreased active rotation to affected side
- decreased head righting to contralateral side
- sternocleidomastoid (SCM) mass
- ipsilateral shoulder elevation
- plagiocephaly/craniofacial asymmetry
- hypertropia on contralateral side
- hip click or asymmetry
Risk factors
- plagiocephaly
- breech delivery
- cesarean section delivery
- twin A (lower in utero)
- complicated deliveries (forceps or vacuum)
- birth trauma
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- cervical spine x-ray
- pelvic x-ray
- hip ultrasound
Investigations to consider
- neck ultrasound
- skull x-ray
- cervical/cranial MRI
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors

Associate Professor
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
University of Colorado School of Medicine and The Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora
CO
Disclosures
JLO is co-author of one of the references cited in this monograph.
Peer reviewers
Associate Professor
Program Director
Tone Management and Mobility
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Milwaukee
WI
Disclosures
EAMW declares that she has no competing interests.
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