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Is Sudden 90 Degrees Movement Of Head In An Infant A Serious Cause For Concern?
Posted on
Thu, 13 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 13 Nov 2014
Answered on
Sat, 29 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi!
I have a 2 months old baby and this evening when I tried to put the towel around her after the bath and take her from my husbands arms into my arms her head dropped back about 90 degrees, without support. She cried loudly after that for about 3-5 minutes, then she cooled down on the nursing table. After that she seemed to be able to move her neck normally, without pain. Breastfeeding went normally. She also moves all the extremities normally, grasp reflexes are normal, the pupils are normal and light-reflex is normal. We have followed up her about 1,5 hour after the incident. Now she felt asleep (around 22:30). I am though worried that she might got a trauma after the neck extension. Do you think i can exclude an artery dissection? What do you think we should do?
I have a 2 months old baby and this evening when I tried to put the towel around her after the bath and take her from my husbands arms into my arms her head dropped back about 90 degrees, without support. She cried loudly after that for about 3-5 minutes, then she cooled down on the nursing table. After that she seemed to be able to move her neck normally, without pain. Breastfeeding went normally. She also moves all the extremities normally, grasp reflexes are normal, the pupils are normal and light-reflex is normal. We have followed up her about 1,5 hour after the incident. Now she felt asleep (around 22:30). I am though worried that she might got a trauma after the neck extension. Do you think i can exclude an artery dissection? What do you think we should do?
Brief Answer:
hi and welcome
Detailed Answer:
Such incidents almost never cause any significant injury since babies neck is elastic and mother nature took care for its stability. She probably cried because it did hurt at that point but if there was normal head movement after this then everything is fine. If you have doctor and radiologist close to your home you can insist to do xrays but from medical aspect this is not necessary and it will just cause unnecessary irradiation. Arterial dissection is not possible of course,this is seen in high energy traumas. I suggest to be cautious,watch for any new sign such as extremity paresis, torticolis, or changes of consciousness and see doctor if you notice it,,but there is no need to be worried if you ask me. Wish you good health. regards
hi and welcome
Detailed Answer:
Such incidents almost never cause any significant injury since babies neck is elastic and mother nature took care for its stability. She probably cried because it did hurt at that point but if there was normal head movement after this then everything is fine. If you have doctor and radiologist close to your home you can insist to do xrays but from medical aspect this is not necessary and it will just cause unnecessary irradiation. Arterial dissection is not possible of course,this is seen in high energy traumas. I suggest to be cautious,watch for any new sign such as extremity paresis, torticolis, or changes of consciousness and see doctor if you notice it,,but there is no need to be worried if you ask me. Wish you good health. regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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