Misdiagnosed by my daughter's pediatrician?

Question

I was told on Monday that my infant daughter who is 2 months old had torticollis. I had my doubts after reading some articles on the condition (all said that infants with torticollis had a lump of somekind on their necks that was made up of tightened muscle tissues and my daughter doesn't have that). I wanted a second opinion and took her to a new pediatrician today and he said that she does not have *true* torticollis, but a simple flat head and that her neck being stiff could be fixed with repositioning her head often and lots of tummy time. He's had over 20 years in practice and is very highly recommended. He even did a scan of her neck to show us that it was not torticollis. He recommended still doing stretches to keep her range of motion in good standing. Would you follow the advice of the second opinion in my case?

Her diagnosis now is plagiocephaly.

Answer 1

I would trust the one that ran the tests rather than just looking. But just be open to the first doctors idea (ie: keep looking to make sure the lump does not appear. ) and don't be afraid to get a 3 rd opinion

Answer 2

My pediatrician diagnosed my son with torticollis at two months as well. No scan was done to confirm this diagnosis either but we were referred to a physical therapist. My son also has flattening (plagiocephaly) of the head as well as a result of the torticollis. We have been in physical therapy twice a week since his diagnosis and my son is now 5 1/2 months. My son was always looking to his left and had a tilt to his left as well. His head tilt went from 22 degree to what is now 5 degrees. He is still in physical therapy doing stretches and strengthening exercises. If it is torticollis I would suggest therapy ASAP. Do you notice her always looking to one side? Having a head tilt? Does she lift one shoulder up to the tilted side of her head? You can also feel the neck muscle to see if its tight. My son also does not have any kind of lump on his neck because it's not severe tort. You may want to get a third opinion but my doc said they only do a scan if there is no improvement. Good luck!

Answer 3

The second doctor seems to be more thorough. I recommend taking the baby to a chiropractor. It may sound silly, but my whole family goes to a really good one. He works on babies, small children, pregnant mothers and everyone else. It may help her to make sure her spine is in line. Just check it out. I know that a lot of people are skeptical about chiropractic, but it really is good for overall health. They are very gentle with babies. They only apply a small amount of pressure and use I think 2 fingers instead of the whole hand.

Answer 4

i think the second doctor sounds more experienced and sure of him self. I'm glad to hear that doesn't have torticollis, though! that's great!!

Answer 5

I'm glad your daughter is going to be O.K. I would do what your new doc told you to. Also, you may want to check into chiropractic. They can do wonders!

Answer 6

It sounds like the second doctor knows what he is talking about! A real experienced doctor would never give you a diagnosis without facts (like testing, scans, etc.) to back it up.

If you are still worried though, you could opt for a third opinion but, I don't think it is really necessary.

Congratulations on the great news by the way! Good luck to your daughter, I'm wishing her the best.

Answer 7

Go with doc number two's opinion.  He obviously knows what he's doing and if a child has a serious condition or the probability of one then the doctor should order tests to see if that is the case.  

The first doctor didn't order any tests to be done.  That in and of itself would put me on red alert.  Good job taking her to another doctor to get a second, and from the sounds of it much better opinion.

Answer 8

I had this problem with my first child...I obviously didn't know this could happen but I knew right away that it was from how he slept...so what I did was put a pillow underneath the fitted crib sheet and I would check him to make sure he was sleeping on it...this helped correct it somewhat but he still has a slightly misshapen head which the doctor told me not to worry about cause no one has a perfectly round head....but with my 2nd child I was well aware and able to prevent this....

I took him to the University of Chicago Hospital and the Specialist there was impressed by my actions and told me that my son would not need a helmet to correct his head that what I was doing was perfectly fine...he is 4 now and no one can tell....just me obvioulsy cause I know its there and I am his mom....

Answer 9

If it were me, I would probably go with the second opinion because of the detailed exam, but I would definately keep an eye out for the lump.  Also, I would have my child rechecked in about 3 months.

I gave birth to a preemie who spent 122 days in hospital.  While in the incubator she favored her right side so when she was dicharced her head was flat on that side towards the back and she did not have full range of motion turning to the left because of it.  We gave her lots and lots and lots of tummy time and stretches.  I am proud to say she has an absolutely beautifully shaped head now.

Good luck!

Answer 10

I second the chiropractor. The second's diagnosis seems more informed and the best way to unstiffen muscles would be a chiropractor trained in infant (make sure it's infant, not just children) care. So many people might tell you horror stories, but if it weren't for a chiropractor, I don't know how my daughter's body would be today.

Answer 11

Trust your gut instinct Mom!!  I will tell you from experience that sometimes your mothers intuition is all that you have!  If you are comfy with the second dr's advice follow it.  If you are still unsure, get a third opinion.  To me, it sounds like the 2nd dr. knows his stuff.  

I was told my 9day old just had a cold.  Had I NOT trusted my gut, I would not have gotten a second opinion 3 days later which ended up saving her life!

Answer 12

I would definitely take the advice of the 2nd doctor.

He sounds like he did a much more thorough exam.  

Here's some tips for repositioning...  http://www.plagiosupport.org/repotech.ht...

If you don't see an improvement within 2 months or so, I would ask to see a specialist just to be sure!

Good Luck ~

Answer 13

my health nurse thought my youngest had that as she only tilted her head to one side,, the doctor who i went to said it wasnt just by manouvering her head and neck and puting her on her tummy ect ect

it didnt end up being torticollis,, after a few more months it went normal with me just doing tummy time [alot] and changing her sleep positions

good luck with your bubba,   im sure it will go to normal soon,, took mine around 6 months xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Answer 14

That's great.So it sounds as if she will grow out of it then.

Answer 15

obviously you had your doubts about the original diagnosis and the second one sounds like you accepted it so go with the second if you feel that the dr gave you sufficiant evidence

Answer 16

Why dont you see a third doctor then?  What's the point of asking us non-doctor here when obviously none of us have more education, training, experience than your first doctor.  

Oh, and we have not physically examined nor have seen the scan of your daughter.  So why are you asking us?????  You want the best opinion for her and you ask us????