Janusz Płomiński

Introduction: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is an asymmetrical head position resulting from structural changes in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle that occurs early during a child’s development or due to perinatal trauma. Children with CMT exhibit a marked imbalance in tension between the SCMs. In a typical clinical picture, an ultrasound scan is performed to reveal characteristic lesions, such as tissue fibrosis or post-traumatic changes. An early diagnosis of CMT in newborns and the implementation of treatment offer the chance of a complete resolution. Torticollis treatment aims to restore the SCM’s normal function. Surgical treatment is performed when conservative methods fail to improve the patient’s condition. The indications that surgery is needed include a marked shortening of the SCM, persistent fibrosis in the muscle, constant head and facial asymmetry, and rotation or lateral flexion in the cervical spine restricted by >15°. Of all the newborn and infant anomalies, congenital torticollis is the third most common after hip dysplasia and equinovarus deformities. Some authors demonstrate that torticollis coexists with hip dysplasia. Aim: The aim of this study was to collect data on infants referred to paediatric rehabilitation and to identify the risk factors associated with CMT in this group of patients, as well as to assess demographic and clinical characteristics concerning risk factors. Materials and methods: The target population for this retrospective study consisted of 111 infants aged 0 to 5 months born in Poland and diagnosed with and undergoing treatment due to CMT. The following were determined: the relationship between the side of the CMT location and the type of delivery (caesarean section vs. vaginal), the relationship between the body weight at birth and the side of the CMT location, the relationship between the extent of SCM thickening and the type of delivery, and the incidence of CMT depending on the order of delivery. Results and conclusions: The data revealed that CMT is less common in female infants (n = 51, 46%) compared to male (n = 61, 54%) infants, in whom a greater birth weight was reported (p < 005). Seventy-six percent (76%) of the paediatric patients with CMT were the offspring of primipara mothers. More often, children born via vaginal delivery had left-sided torticollis with a more significant broadening of the SCM, as shown on ultrasound scans, than right-sided torticollis. Theories of torticollis development pathophysiology should be deepened and systematised, and further research is needed.

Introduction Severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global threat for every healthcare system, and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in over 3 million deaths worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 brings symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. Diagnostic of COVID-19 may include specific RT-PCR for viral ribonucleic acid detection, and ELISA testing for virus-derived spike protein or nucleocapsid. Aim The aim of this study was to measure the antinucleocapsid level of SARS-CoV-2 IgG to identify the number of asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 after infection in a population of workers from a production company. Material and methods Human anti-SARS-CoV-2(N) IgG ELISA kit was used to determine serum IgG level. Study includes 107 individuals (48% female, 52% male) in different ages (18–60 years). Results and discussion Of 107 tested individuals in 80 (74.7%) cases SARS-CoV-2(N)-specific IgG antibodies were detected, with an average antibody concentration of the whole study group 4.08 µg/mL (<i>n</i> = 107 with the range 0.59–7.91 µg/mL; <i>n</i> = 80 were included in the study with the sensitivity of the method above 2.344 µg/mL). In only 9 cases, SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed before using the PCR test. Our data underscore the need for a population study in Poland to test the proportion of asymptomatic IgG positive for SARS-CoV-2 individuals. Conclusions This study indicates that within studied sample large proportion of asymptomatic people have undergone SARS-CoV-2 infection and suggests that isolation of only symptomatic patients would not stop the transmission of the virus.