What postnatal factor is associated with Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT)?

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is a condition characterized by a shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, leading to head tilt and rotational deformities of the neck. Among the postnatal factors linked to CMT, a positional preference stands out as a significant contributor. This refers to the tendency of infants to favor one side of their head when lying down, which can lead to muscle shortening and encourage the development of torticollis.

When a baby consistently looks or lies to one side, the muscle on that side can become tighter over time, while the muscles on the other side may become weaker. This habitual positioning can be exacerbated by environmental factors such as limited space in the crib or the inclination of caregivers to position the baby in a certain way. Addressing positional preference is crucial in managing CMT, as encouraging varied head positioning during play and sleeping can help facilitate muscle balance and improve head positioning.

In contrast, factors like head position at birth, muscle rupture, and ischemic injury primarily relate to different scenarios involving muscle development or injury, but they do not specifically influence the development of CMT in the same way that positional preference does. Therefore, recognizing positional preference as a postnatal