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Kristen Hosaka, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ November 26, 2019 ~ Pages 134-138
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Abstract
Objective: To describe the chiropractic care of a neonate immediately post-partum who had experienced birth trauma.
Clinical Presentation: The attending midwife noted the infant had an asynclitic head presentation at birth and as a result was born with an elongation of the occiput due to cranial molding, bilateral flexion at the elbows and shoulders with decreased range of motion in the cervical spine with tongue and lip tie. Edema of the occiput with bruising was notable along with hypertonicity of cervical musculature at C1, hypertonicity (bilaterally) of the pectoral and biceps muscles, blanching and tension of lip tie, decreased suck reflex and tongue retraction with sucking, fascial restrictions at the ethmoid bones, at the occipital condyles (bilaterally), as well as at the shoulders and clavicles, bilaterally. An anterior subluxation of left sphenoid was noted.
Intervention and Outcomes: The infant was cared for with chiropractic including a sphenobasilar adjustment. Following this adjustment, significant reduction in occipital edema was noted along with normal suck pattern and breastfeeding normalized.
Conclusions: This case report provides supporting evidence that patients suffering from birth trauma may benefit from subluxation-based chiropractic care.
Key Words: infant, asynclitism, birth trauma, head shape, difficult latch, vertebral subluxation, adjustment, plagiocephaly
