Ethan's Story - Traumatic Birth Syndrome and The Link to SIDS

With her face in her hands, Monica cried, "Why didn't someone tell us sooner?"  Monica brought her 2 year old for an assessment because he had been diagnosed with torticollis - a condition where her son's head was pulled sideways toward his shoulder because of strong muscle contractions.  She had taken Ethan to the pediatrician who suggested physical therapy and wearing a helmet.  They had been everywhere and done everything.  When we did Ethan's assessment, we found that he had brainstem pressure.  After correcting this, his head returned to center and he was able to be a healthy, happy kiddo. 

But something happened during his report of findings.  When we told Ethan's parents that he had significant pressure on his brainstem from birth trauma, we also told them that seven out of eight babies that die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) had compression on their brainstems.  That's when they lost it.  They had lost a baby to SIDS a few years prior.  The room was silent and we felt bittersweet.  Bitter that they lost a child for 'unknown reasons' and sweet that we had found Ethan's problem.  

We really want to get the message out that we can screen for birth trauma.  The best time to tell Mom about this is when she's pregnant.  The next best time is now so she can have her kids evaluated (regardless of their age).  Signs that kids experienced birth trauma include:

• difficulty latching on during breast feeding
• misshaped head
• ear, nose, and throat trouble
• frequent antibiotic use
• colic / inconsolable crying
• sensory issues

Bring your child in today for a nerve scan and we can tell you in minutes whether they are at risk for a lifetime of neurological trouble.  Don't live near Ann Arbor?  No worries, you can travel to us for an assessment or we can find someone who does something similar.  Just ask!