Question
A newborn developed a neck swelling that persisted for more than ten days before being discovered, with the baby’s head tilting towards the side without swelling. A color Doppler ultrasound examination did not reveal any abnormalities, and the doctor recommended a further detailed examination. Concerns include the potential harm of this condition to the baby and appropriate treatment methods.
Answer
After confirmation through color Doppler ultrasound, non-surgical treatment is applicable to infants under 1 year old. After diagnosis, the newborn should undergo gentle massage and cold compresses daily, and manual traction should be applied to gently pull the head towards the healthy side several times a day, with 10 to 15 pulls each time. During the baby’s sleep, a sand pillow should be used to stabilize the head. As the baby grows, the force of manual correction should gradually increase, turning the affected side of the pillow towards the healthy side and positioning the lower jaw towards the affected side. This correction should be done multiple times a day, and persistence is key to achieving satisfactory results in most cases. It is important to be patient and persistent over a long period of time, and to ensure that the technique is gentle. For infants over 1 year old, surgical treatment is a viable option.