Did your refluxer ever have torticollis--a tilt of the head to the side?

Although never diagnosed as such, Evan tilted his head to the side for the first few months of his life. I always thought that it was just because his neck muscles were still weak, but another mom posted (today) that there may be a connection between the tilted head and reflux. Has anyone else heard of this before?

My son constantly had his head tilted to the left side. When babies are on there backs too much the back of there heads get a little flat. Patrick tilted his head so much that the back of his head actually had a slight angle to it. I had to keep a rolled up receiving blanket wedged between his cheek and the carseat or swing. He is now 3 1/2 months old I still find myself propping his head back up.

Head tilting (torticolis) associated with reflux is called sandifer's syndrome. You'll notice it listed here, second to the last under symptoms and complications. Your doctors really missed the boat with Evan!

Your doctors really missed the boat with Evan!

A true understatement, Roni! I'm beginning to think more and more that all of the doctors around here are real idiots! We're already on to our 3rd GP and our 2nd ped. I'd almost be switching some of those too if it weren't for the specialists at the Children's Hospital...

Duh, sorry, I just realized my link didn't work. :oops: Guess there's something to be said for taking a sec to preview b/f posting huh!

Try this (http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/gerdinfo.htm)

That's okay, Roni. I just did a copy and paste to make it work.[/list]

Good thing one of us is on the ball :lol: :lol: ! 8) :P

Is Sandifer's Syndrome just the head tilt or is there more to it? Also, would the head tilt continue beyond the first few months of life? If the head tilt disappears, does that mean that the syndrome is no longer there (if it was to begin with, that is)?

i have never heard of this. at what age does it start or how long? i did notice my son doing that about a month ago (5 mo. old ) along with shaking his head back and forth when laying down(usually when trying to sleep) i didn't think anything of it. :oops: maybe i need to look into this some more. thanks! :)

It's usually most prevalent during the first few months of a baby's life--Evan had it until he was 4 to 6 months--and is that tilt of the head to the side.

Iain had a tendency to head tilt a bit, but mainly his head shakes back and forth. I thought that this was just sonething he does. He also has this habit of sitting on the floor and bouncing seemingly endlessly. I have never seen a child do that before. He is able to bounce up almost to the point of being able to stand. Neat.

I really did not clue into the back arching and just clued in that he does do it after meals, when lying down for a diaper change, or being put to bed. We often find him sitting up in bed pretty much asleep when he has his night attacks. The doctor thought he just did not like diaper changes and was fussy.

A bit off the topic, but I recently realized the reason why my son lies prone so much. When he was newborn I blamed my husband for lying him down on his tummy and chided him for he should have known better having 2 older children. We laughed when we realized that he was able to roll over very early and prefered being on his tummy usually with his face down. This of course caused me endless worry as he would bury his face. He still prefers to sleep that way, but I always lie him on his back.

Leigh

Iain had a tendency to head tilt a bit, but mainly his head shakes back and forth.Leigh
Is Iain on Reglan by any chance, Leigh?

Emma also tilts her head to the left, always! We thought it was from her ear infection....but maybe not. :? I'll have to look into this.....

Emma also does something strange sometimes when we go to burp her after an ounce of her formula...

We sit her on our lap/knee and then prop her head with one hand and burp her on the back with the other, (typical burping style). Then, all of a sudden she does this thing where she shakes for a second, almost like she's having a cold chill.....you know, like if someone touched your back or neck with something cold and it gives you this chill that runs up your back. She also makes this odd sound like she's saying ooooooh

Any ideas, anyone?

Not to scare you, but it's not a seizure-like movement, right?

I don't know....it happens really fast....only about 1 second. It's like when adults get cold chills...she kind of shakes her shoulders back and forth...

Is it a seizure?

Uh oh....

No...As I said, not to scare you. It was just a thought, but since it only lasts 1 second, it's not too likely. Maybe it is just a shiver. :?:

I think it's happened enough that we'll draw it to our peds attention. Thanks for the insight..

~Amanda Ü

You didn't scare me...I thought it could have been a seizure too....

Yes, it's definitely a good idea to draw it to the ped's attention. Please let me know what he/she says.

I will...

Thanks again...

Amanda Ü

My husband had a good idea....

We're going to videotape Emma having one of these shudders and show it to the ped. We figured it was possibly her nervous system just getting adjusted.....but it's better to be safe and let the doctor see what they think....

~Amanda Ü

That's an excellent idea, Amanda! There used to be another mom on here who had to go that route with another issue. I hope it helps you to get some answers.