Which of the following is a prenatal cause of Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT)?

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (CMT) is a condition characterized by a shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which can lead to a tilted head position. One of the known prenatal causes of CMT is malpositioning in utero. When a fetus is positioned in an abnormal way within the womb—such as being in a breech position or having restricted space—this can place prolonged stress on the muscles and structures in the neck during development. This sustained pressure can result in muscle tightness or shortening, leading to torticollis once the baby is born.

Understanding this, malpositioning in utero is directly linked to the development of CMT because it represents a prenatal factor that influences the growth and positioning of the neck muscles before birth. Therefore, recognizing this connection helps in understanding the etiology of CMT and the importance of prenatal positioning and care.