Cervical somatic dysfunction in young infants: clinical manifestations and osteopathic correction results

. Currently, not enough attention is paid to diagnosis and treatment of cervical spine soft tissue injuries in newborns. Clinical evidence of soft tissue birth injuries in cervical spine is scarce and masked by symptoms of ischemic damage to the central nervous system. This leads to the fact that they are downplayed and timely treatment is not carried out. The effectiveness of osteopathy treatment in somatic dysfunctions diagnosis and correction for this natal pathology is underrepresented. Goal of research — to investigate the osteopathic correction effect of cervical somatic dysfunctions onabnormalities in the neurological status of young infants. Materials and methods. The study involved infants from 1 to 6 months, divided into main and control group, each of 20 patients. The control group infants received routine neurological treatment, in the main group osteopathictreatment was added. Neurological syndromes plotted against time and cervical somatic dysfunctions intensity were assessed in all infants. Results. When analyzing the treatment results, statistically signifi cant decrease in total number of neurologicalsyndromes is stated, as well as cervical somatic dysfunctions intensity decrease. By the end of follow-up period in main group infants statistically signifi cant improvement in following symptoms was found: head malposition,body posture, delayed motor development and nervous-refl ectory irritability syndrome. Conclusion . Based on the results of the study, the osteopathic treatment effi cacy has been proven, which allows us to recommend it in management regimen for infants with neurological disorders.