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Infants are born with a number of musculoskeletal (MSK) alterations, including: Increased hip external rotation: Decreases over time Limited hip adduction: 34 degrees of limitation Limited hip extension: 19 degrees at 6 weeks, 7 degrees at toddlers Increased coxa valga: 140–160 degrees Decreased femoral neck angle: Decreases to 126 degrees in adults
Other MSK alterations in children include: Altered spine alignment: Such as kyphosis or scoliosis Difficulty describing pain: Children may have trouble localizing or describing pain
Most MSK presentations in children are benign and self-limiting. However, MSK symptoms can also be presenting features of potentially life-threatening conditions such as malignancy, sepsis, vasculitis and non-accidental injury. Weight-bearing exercise in childhood has a positive effect on bone strength, while exercise performed during prepubertal and peripubertal age causes an increase in bone mineral accrual. When assessing and treating a child with an alteration of the musculoskeletal system, it's important to understand when children meet their major developmental milestones, especially for gross motor development. Failure to meet these milestones in a timely manner may be indicative of hypotonia, cerebral palsy (hemiplegic), or a neuromuscular disorder.
Related Test: Pathophysiology Practice Test: Alterations of Musculoskeletal Function basics
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