Muscle pain in newborns

Muscle pain in newborns: Birth consequences

Newborns cannot complain about muscle pain, but they can feel it. In most cases this pain is not a sign of disease, but a natural consequence of the birth process, which is a strenuous physical effort not only for the mother but also for the baby.

Causes of muscle pain in newborns

• Passing through the birth canal: During delivery the baby's body undergoes significant compression and twisting. This can lead to temporary soreness of the neck, shoulder, and back muscles, similar to a "stiffness" in adults after intense exercise.
• Birth trauma: In complicated deliveries, abnormal fetal position, or the use of obstetric instruments, mild muscle injury can occur. Most often this involves the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which can lead to torticollis.
• Congenital anomalies: In rare cases, muscle pain may be associated with congenital diseases.

How does a baby show muscle pain?

You may suspect that a baby has muscle pain based on the following signs:

• The baby cries or shows intense discomfort during certain movements: dressing, diaper changes, or attempts to pick them up.
• The baby "guards" a particular limb or avoids turning the head to one side.
• General irritability and crying.

It is important to distinguish pain from muscle hypotonia (weakness) or hypertonia (excessive tension). In most cases, mild muscle discomfort after birth resolves on its own within a few days. However, if you notice persistent movement limitation, this warrants a consultation with a pediatrician and a pediatric orthopedist.