Asymmetry

Why is body asymmetry a problem that requires prompt medical intervention? First and foremost, body symmetry is very important, because with it the child learns to cross the center line of the body in both directions with his feet, hands and head. This makes it possible to reach the next stages of motor development and coordination. This is why body asymmetry in children can be a warning sign indicating potential health problems.

An infant may develop positional asymmetry, which is a condition in which, despite the completion of 3-4 mo of age, the child still shows structural or motor signs of lack of body symmetry. We speak of positional asymmetry in an infant when he or she fails to develop symmetrical antigravity activity, eye convergence, head alignment and the ability to join hands. Alignment asymmetry has serious consequences and causes developmental abnormalities, which may account for the development of postural defects or indicate serious neurological disorders. It is important to recognize it early, identify its causes and initiate appropriate therapy. Detection of infantile positional asymmetry affects the inhibition of its aggravation and prevents abnormal development of the child. Every person exhibits a kind of symmetry disorder, such as preferring to grasp things with the right or left hand, which is a physiological phenomenon. It is crucial to distinguish such body asymmetry, from a symptom of abnormal development or disease. With proper physiotherapy, up to 95% of children have a chance to get much closer to a normal state of symmetry.

Disturbing symptoms that indicate body symmetry disorders include:

1. The child is more likely to look to one side,
2. Prefers one breast when feeding,
3. The child puts the same hand in his mouth all the time, while the other hand is straightened and clenched into a fist,
4. When he lies on his back, on a hard surface, he twists and turns his body in one direction, and changing this position makes him uncomfortable,
5. When rolling over onto his back, he always does it one way,
6. when lying on his stomach, he does not support himself evenly on both hands, and he points his head more often to one side,
7. On one side it has a flattened head.

The causes of body asymmetry can be many. Determining which one caused the disorder allows you to choose an appropriate treatment strategy and estimate the prognosis of its development. The most common causes include:

1. Physiological lack of symmetry, which passes spontaneously at the end of 2 mo of life,
2. Laying the baby always on one side, or always attaching the baby to one breast,
3. Perinatal complications and their consequences, e.g., increased muscle tone in infants, brachial plexus damage (sensory and movement disorders on the affected side), hip dislocation,
4. complications during pregnancy, such as reduced fetal water, which causes the fetus to often lie in one position,
5. Vision or hearing problems (the child lays down with a healthy eye/eye to the stimulus),
6. Joint and muscle contractures, such as in the neck,
7. Postural defects, such as scoliosis,
8. cerebral palsy,
9. Neurological disorders that interfere with motor skills.

If you observe symptoms of body asymmetry in your child that persist beyond the age of 3-4 months, it is essential to visit your primary care physician. He will refer you to a neurologist, pediatric orthopedist and physiotherapist. Disorders of body symmetry are a complex problem that requires the cooperation of many experienced specialists and individual adjustment of the way of working, improving joint mobility and eliminating muscle contractures.

The physiotherapist will work with the child on correct body positioning, and also order orthopedic supplies (such as a special pillow) if necessary. The most commonly used therapeutic methods, include the Vojta method (teaching the child correct movement patterns by placing him in specific positions and inducing muscle movement of specific body areas), as well as the NDT-Bobath method (regulating muscle tone and consolidating correct movement). It is also important to perform exercises recommended by a specialist at home. At the Paley European Institute, we provide effective physiotherapy for children with positional asymmetry, so that the symmetry disorder can be stopped or reversed and the child's normal development can be promoted.