What Is a Hyperextended Neck in Preemies?

Hyperextension of the neck coupled with shoulder shrugging in babies, especially preemies, is often an early sign of developing neurological impairment which often can be a precursor to cerebral palsy.

Features

• Hyperextension is when a baby's head is tilted back and is in that position most of the time, both when resting and being held.

Significance

• Hyperextension and problems associated with it can resolve as the baby matures, however it can also be a sign of damage to the nervous system. Often if there is damage to one part of the brain from prematurity, there is other damage which manifests itself as the baby develops.

Cause

• A premature baby's nervous system, the brain and spinal cord are very delicate. Injury can occur in the womb, during delivery or after delivery because of vulnerability to early illness and the necessary medical intervention to correct those illnesses.

Physiology

• Injury to the brain around birth can result from a number of causes, but the end result is disruption of blood flow and/or oxygen to areas of the brain. Preemies have underdeveloped lungs and difficulty regulating blood flow, and are especially at risk under stressful conditions.

Effects

• Hyperextension of the neck is a symptom of motor impairment. Cerebral palsy is oftentimes the result of brain and nervous system damage which causes the motor impairment. In cerebral palsy, the damage is permanent, but does not get worse.