A growing field of neuroscience is that of neuroplasticity.  This is the study of how our nervous systems changes over time in response to it's use, or lack there of.  When we are born we have the greatest number of neural connections (synapses) that we will ever have in our life.  From that point on we maintain and bolster the ones we use and the ones not used atrophy.  This effect is much similar to the principle of use it or lose it that one may be familiar with one's muscles and exercise.

When there is compression or irritation on a nerve, the information that is transmitted on that nerve may be either elevated or depressed from what the sensory signal really is.  If the body is relying on these signals for proper growth and development, then you can see why it is important to make sure there is no interference and the longer the interference the more prolonged the affect.

Anyone who has given birth or even watched a birthing video understands that the forces involved in expelling a baby exerts much stress to the neck of the child.  Neural compression (due to subluxation) at this point, if left uncorrected, may lead to loss of neural stimulus and subsequent aberrant development. 

In the treatment of children, chiropractors aim to correct such subluxations whether they occur in the birthing process or from falling off a bicycle.  

 Image courtesy of dream designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net