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Neumeister A, Brand S, Koch F, Kubon S, Baumgarten P, Senft C, Schwarz F, Löschner D. Discrepancies Between Objective and Subjective Outcomes of and Quality of Life During Molding Helmet Therapy for Cranial Deformities. J Craniofac Surg 2024:00001665-990000000-01774. [PMID: 39028196 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000010477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Positional skull deformities have been on the rise for decades and can be treated with molding helmets in early childhood. Parents often fear later cosmetic stigmatization, but also a reduced quality of life (QoL) during treatment. The aim of this study was to examine therapy results in our patient collection from a new perspective. Cranial vault asymmetry (CVA), cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), and cranial index (CI) were compared before and after molding helmet therapy. Correction was defined by a decrease in CVA <3.5 mm and CI <90%. Subjective therapy outcome, side effects and QoL from the parents' perspective were determined using a questionnaire. There were 25 patients included. Differences between pretherapeutic and posttherapeutic CVA, CVAI, and CI were significant (P<0.01). An objective correction according to the defined values was observed in only 12% of cases. However, 76% of parents stated that their child's skull shape was normal after therapy. There were 60 side effects reported in 23 cases. The QoL of 21 children was assessed as unimpaired during helmet therapy. Even though complete normalization was rarely observed, the parameters were significantly different after therapy, and subjective reduction in skull deformity was common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Neumeister
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Susanne Brand
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Thueringen Clinics Georgius Agricola, Saalfeld (Saale), Germany
| | - Franziska Koch
- Department of Orthopaedics, Schoen Clinic Munich Harlaching, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophie Kubon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Baumgarten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Senft
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Falko Schwarz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Denise Löschner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Aihara Y, Chiba K, Kawamata T. Helmet therapy efficacy and its prediction in Japanese infants with positional plagio- and brachycephaly. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:2135-2144. [PMID: 38536451 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06370-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide additional information on optimal start times and therapeutic effectiveness based on treatment outcome of Japanese infants with positional plagio- and brachycephaly (PPB) receiving cranial molding helmet therapy (CMHT). METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, data from a 3D head scanning system was analyzed from 2173 Japanese infants who completed CMHT. Anterior and posterior symmetry ratio (ASR and PSR) and longitudinal to transverse diagonal ratios (LD/TDR) were calculated based on skull shape at helmet design and at completion of therapy. The outcomes were evaluated using the regression analysis and a predictive model using cranial parameters was developed. RESULTS The earlier the start of therapy, the greater the therapeutic effect on ASR, PSR, and LD/TDR (ASR, -0.134 percent points (ppt)/day; PSR, -0.086 ppt/day; and LD/TDR, -0.131 ppt/day). In the predictive model, in addition to starting age of the therapy, sex (male), the degree of deformity of the head (DoD) (moderate and severe), quadrant volume, PSR, and head circumference at the start of treatment also had a positive effect on changes in ASR, DoD (moderate and severe), ASR, LD/TDR and transverse diameter for PSR, sex (male), DoD (moderate), quadrant volume, PSR, and head circumference for LD/TDR. CONCLUSION The starting age of therapy had a relatively smaller contribution to outcome effects. Applying the cranial parameter obtained at the start of treatment to the predictive model helps to predict the effect of CMHT and whether PPB can be treated with CMHT in infants of older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Aihara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Chiba
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan
| | - Takakazu Kawamata
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan
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Bagagiolo D, Priolo CG, Favre EM, Pangallo A, Didio A, Sbarbaro M, Borro T, Daccò S, Manzoni P, Farina D. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy to Reduce Cranial Asymmetries in Young Infants with Nonsynostotic Plagiocephaly. Am J Perinatol 2022; 39:S52-S62. [PMID: 36451623 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) versus light touch therapy (LTT) in reducing cranial asymmetries in infants with nonsynostotic plagiocephaly (NSP). STUDY DESIGN A prospective, parallel-group, single-center, LTT-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Neonatology of Sant'Anna Hospital in Turin, Italy, from September 6, 2016 to February 20, 2020. We enrolled infants of 1 to 6 months of age with NSP, who were then randomly assigned to the study group (repositioning therapy plus six sessions of OMTh) or the control group (repositioning therapy plus six sessions of LTT). The outcome was the reduction of the oblique diameter difference index (ODDI) score <104%, which was assessed at the end of the intervention protocol (at 3 months) and at 1 year of age. RESULTS A total of 96 infants were randomized, 48 in the OMTh group and 48 in the LTT group, with mean ages of 3.1 versus 3.2 months, and baseline ODDI score of 110.2 versus 108.7%. In the OMTh group, a significant reduction of the ODDI score <104%, compared with the LTT group, was observed in the intension-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. The ITT analysis revealed an ODDI score <104% in the OMTh group at 3 months (risk difference: 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25-0.53; p < 0.001) and at the follow-up at 1 year of age (risk difference: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.31-0.64; p < 0.001). The PP analysis at 3 months reported a risk difference of 0.44 (95% CI: 0.27-0.60; p < 0.001), and at 1 year of age, a risk difference of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.36-0.72; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION In infants with NSP, a course of six OMTh sessions significantly reduced cranial asymmetries at both the 3-month and 1-year follow-up assessments, compared with LTT. This study is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (identifier: NCT03970395; www. CLINICALTRIALS gov ). KEY POINTS · OMTh plus repositioning therapy significantly decreased the risk and severity of NSP compared with LTT.. · OMTh reduced mild and moderate cranial asymmetries.. · The role of OMTh in severe cranial asymmetries should be investigated in a multicenter trial..
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Bagagiolo
- Department of Research, Scuola Superiore di Osteopatia Italiana, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudio G Priolo
- Division of Neonatology and NICU, Sant'Anna Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena M Favre
- Department of Research, Scuola Superiore di Osteopatia Italiana, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonella Pangallo
- Department of Research, Scuola Superiore di Osteopatia Italiana, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Didio
- Department of Research, Scuola Superiore di Osteopatia Italiana, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Sbarbaro
- Department of Research, Scuola Superiore di Osteopatia Italiana, Turin, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borro
- Division of Neonatology and NICU, Sant'Anna Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Daccò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Villa San Benedetto Menni Hospital, Hermanas Hospitalarias, Albese con Cassano, Como, Italy
| | - Paolo Manzoni
- Division of Neonatology and NICU, Sant'Anna Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.,Division of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Department of Maternal, Neonatal, and Infant Medicine, Nuovo Ospedale Degli Infermi, Ponderano, Italy
| | - Daniele Farina
- Division of Neonatology and NICU, Sant'Anna Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
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Hua A, Bai J, Fan Y, Wang J. Comparison of Distance and Angular Analysis for Measurement of Hamstring Flexibility in Preschoolers. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9010039. [PMID: 35053665 PMCID: PMC8774374 DOI: 10.3390/children9010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to (1) investigate the reliability and usefulness of a proposed angular analysis during a modified sit-and-reach (MSR) test, and (2) compare the proposed MSR angular analysis and the commonly used MSR distance to verify the influence of the anthropometric characteristics in preschoolers. 194 preschoolers participated in the study. Before testing, the anthropometric characteristics were collected. Each participant performed the MSR test twice. The MSR distance score was obtained from the starting point to the reaching point, while the MSR angle score was calculated according to the approximate hip flexion angle. Both the relative and absolute reliability were good for the angular analysis during an MSR test in preschoolers (ICC ranging from 0.82 to 0.91, CV% ranging from 8.21 to 9.40). The angular analysis demonstrated good usefulness, with a lower typical error than the smallest worthwhile change in 3- and 5-year-old groups. The MSR angle scores could eliminate the concern of the influence of anthropometric characteristics, while MSR distance and anthropometric characteristics (i.e., sitting height and arm length) were found to be weakly correlated. In conclusion, the angular analysis when performing the MSR test is reliable and appears to eliminate the concern regarding the limb length bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hua
- Department of Sports Science, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Jingyuan Bai
- Department of Sports Science, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Sports, Qianjiang College, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China;
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Sports Science, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (A.H.); (J.B.)
- Center for Psychological Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-(0571)-8827-3843
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Pastor-Pons I, Hidalgo-García C, Lucha-López MO, Barrau-Lalmolda M, Rodes-Pastor I, Rodríguez-Fernández ÁL, Tricás-Moreno JM. Effectiveness of pediatric integrative manual therapy in cervical movement limitation in infants with positional plagiocephaly: a randomized controlled trial. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:41. [PMID: 33632268 PMCID: PMC7908758 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-00995-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is a cranial deformation frequent amongst children and consisting in a flattened and asymmetrical head shape. PP is associated with excessive time in supine and with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). Few studies have evaluated the efficiency of a manual therapy approach in PP. The purpose of this parallel randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of adding a manual therapy approach to a caregiver education program focusing on active rotation range of motion (AROM) and neuromotor development in a PP pediatric sample. METHODS Thirty-four children with PP and less than 28 week-old were randomly distributed into two groups. AROM and neuromotor development with Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) were measured. The evaluation was performed by an examiner, blinded to the randomization of the subjects. A pediatric integrative manual therapy (PIMT) group received 10-sessions involving manual therapy and a caregiver education program. Manual therapy was addressed to the upper cervical spine to mobilize the occiput, atlas and axis. The caregiver educational program consisted in exercises to reduce the positional preference and to stimulate motor development. The control group received the caregiver education program exclusively. To compare intervention effectiveness across the groups, improvement indexes of AROM and AIMS were calculated using the difference of the final measurement values minus the baseline measurement values. If the distribution was normal, the improvement indexes were compared using the Student t-test for independent samples; if not, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. The effect size of the interventions was calculated using Cohen's d. RESULTS All randomized subjects were analysed. After the intervention, the PIMT group showed a significantly higher increase in rotation (29.68 ± 18.41°) than the control group (6.13 ± 17.69°) (p = 0.001). Both groups improved the neuromotor development but no statistically significant differences were found. No harm was reported during the study. CONCLUSION The PIMT intervention program was more effective in increasing AROM than using only a caregiver education program. The study has been retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov, with identification number NCT03659032 . Registration date: September 1, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iñaki Pastor-Pons
- Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral, s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Terapias Integrativas, San Miguel, 16, 50001, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - César Hidalgo-García
- Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral, s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - María Orosia Lucha-López
- Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral, s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Iñaki Rodes-Pastor
- Instituto de Terapias Integrativas, San Miguel, 16, 50001, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ángel Luis Rodríguez-Fernández
- Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28925, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Miguel Tricás-Moreno
- Departamento de Fisiatría y Enfermería, Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Domingo Miral, s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
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Cibinello FU, de Jesus Neves JC, Carvalho MYL, Valenciano PJ, Fujisawa DS. Effect of Pilates Matwork exercises on posterior chain flexibility and trunk mobility in school children: A randomized clinical trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther 2020; 24:176-181. [PMID: 33218508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of an exercise program, based on the Pilates Matwork method, on posterior chain flexibility and trunk mobility in healthy school age children. DESIGN AND SETTING The study was a parallel-group randomized clinical trial. The participants were randomly assigned to groups: Pilates Group (PG) and Control Group (CG). The program was developed at the Early Childhood Education Institute, Londrina-PR. PARTICIPANTS 43 children with age between eight to 12 years, no prior knowledge of the Pilates method, and no exercise training in the last six months. INTERVENTION Four months of twice a week 50 min Pilates Matwork exercises were administered. OUTCOME MEASURES Flexibility and mobility, assessed using the sit-and-reach test, fingertip-to-floor test and photogrammetry. The assessors were blinded to the allocation of participants. RESULTS Three children were excluded before randomization and 40 were randomized (PG n = 20; CG n = 20).12 children were excluded during the protocol (PG n = 7; CG n = 5) and included in the intention to treat analysis. No significant difference between groups was observed for flexibility measures. There was a significant difference in the following outcomes for the PG: distance reached in the sit-and-reach test between pre-test (median 14.25[11.25-28.38]) and post-test (median 20.25[12.00-29.63]) (ES = 0.29, SRM = 0.73); Posterior angle of the knee in the fingertip-to-floor test between pre-test (median 191.60[187.20-191.60]) and post-test (median 189.00[185.90-191.50]) (ES = 0.56, SRM = 0.54). CONCLUSION There were no differences in posterior chain flexibility and trunk mobility between school age children who underwent Pilates Matwork exercises and the control. However, children who participated in the exercise program showed improvement in some results of flexibility. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC) (N° RBR-8t5p7d).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabíola Unbehaun Cibinello
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CEPPOS - Centro de Pós-Graduação Professor Dr. Darli Antonio Soares, Av. Robert Koch, 60 - Vila Operária, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Jessica Caroliny de Jesus Neves
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CEPPOS - Centro de Pós-Graduação Professor Dr. Darli Antonio Soares, Av. Robert Koch, 60 - Vila Operária, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mônica Yosino Leão Carvalho
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CEPPOS - Centro de Pós-Graduação Professor Dr. Darli Antonio Soares, Av. Robert Koch, 60 - Vila Operária, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Paola Janeiro Valenciano
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CEPPOS - Centro de Pós-Graduação Professor Dr. Darli Antonio Soares, Av. Robert Koch, 60 - Vila Operária, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Dirce Shizuko Fujisawa
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, CEPPOS - Centro de Pós-Graduação Professor Dr. Darli Antonio Soares, Av. Robert Koch, 60 - Vila Operária, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
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Collett BR, Kartin D, Wallace ER, Cunningham ML, Speltz ML. Motor Function in School-Aged Children With Positional Plagiocephaly or Brachycephaly. Pediatr Phys Ther 2020; 32:107-112. [PMID: 32218071 PMCID: PMC10507734 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether children with a history of positional plagiocephaly/brachycephaly (PPB) show persistent deficits in motor development. METHODS In a longitudinal cohort study, we completed follow-up assessments with 187 school-aged children with PPB and 149 participants without PPB who were originally enrolled in infancy. Primary outcomes were the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Second Edition (BOT-2) composite scores. RESULTS Children with PPB scored lower than controls on the BOT-2. Stratified analyses indicated that differences were restricted to children who had moderate-severe PPB. No consistent differences were observed in children who had mild PPB. CONCLUSION Children who had moderate-severe PPB in infancy show persistent differences in motor function. We suggest close developmental monitoring and early intervention to address motor deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent R Collett
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development (Drs Collett, Wallace, and Speltz), Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Drs Collett and Speltz), Rehabilitation Medicine (Dr Kartin), and Pediatrics (Dr Cunningham), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Seattle Children's Craniofacial Center (Dr Cunningham), Seattle, Washington
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Kelly KM, Joganic EF, Beals SP, Riggs JA, McGuire MK, Littlefield TR. Helmet Treatment of Infants With Deformational Brachycephaly. Glob Pediatr Health 2018; 5:2333794X18805618. [PMID: 30349871 PMCID: PMC6194925 DOI: 10.1177/2333794x18805618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Deformation of the cranium in infancy represents a spectrum of deformity, ranging from severe asymmetric yet proportional distortion of the skull in plagiocephaly, to nearly symmetric yet disproportional distortion in brachycephaly. As such, the condition is best described as deformational plagiocephaly-brachycephaly with isolated plagiocephaly and/or isolated brachycephaly being at either ends of the spectrum. Due to its symmetric appearance, deformational brachycephaly is often incorrectly dismissed as being less concerning, and it has sometimes erroneously been reported that brachycephaly cannot be treated successfully with a cranial orthosis. We prospectively report on 4205 infants with isolated deformational brachycephaly treated with a cranial orthosis from 2013 to 2017. These results demonstrate that the orthosis is successful in the treatment of deformational brachycephaly with an 81.4% improvement toward normal (95.0 to 89.4) in cephalic index. We furthermore demonstrate that entrance age influences treatment results, with younger infants demonstrating both improved outcomes and shorter treatment times.
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Ballardini E, Sisti M, Basaglia N, Benedetto M, Baldan A, Borgna-Pignatti C, Garani G. Prevalence and characteristics of positional plagiocephaly in healthy full-term infants at 8-12 weeks of life. Eur J Pediatr 2018; 177:1547-1554. [PMID: 30030600 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-018-3212-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Positional plagiocephaly (PP) denotes flattening of the skull that occurs frequently in healthy infants. Aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of positional plagiocephaly and to identify the risk factors in a cohort of healthy infants in order to help prevention of PP. In a prospective design, all healthy full-term infants, ranging from 8 to 12 weeks of age, who presented at the public immunization clinic in Ferrara, were eligible for the study. After obtaining informed consent, we interviewed the parents and examined the infants using the Argenta's assessment tool. Of 283 infants examined, 107 (37.8%) were found to have PP at 8-12 weeks of age. In 64.5%, PP was on the right side, 50.5% were male and 15% presented also with brachycephaly. Risk factors significantly associated were lower head circumference, advanced maternal age, Italian compared to African, and supine sleep position, in particular for infants born at 37 weeks, preference for one side of the head. In logistic regression, risk factors significantly associated were lower birth weight, advanced maternal age, and supine sleep position. CONCLUSIONS Positional plagiocephaly is a common issue faced by pediatricians; our results reinforce the need of improving prevention both of sudden infant death and positional plagiocephaly, through uniform messages provided prenatally and postnatally by different health professionals. "What is Known:" •The incidence of positional plagiocephaly varies due to population studied and measuring methods. •Different factors are considered in the literature as being associated to positional plagiocephaly (infant factors, obstetric factors, infant care practices, sociodemographic factors). "What is New:" •This is one of the few European studies quantifying positional plagiocephaly prevalence in a population of unselected healthy infants. •In this study, positional plagiocephaly is confirmed as a common issue, related to some factor (as supine sleep position and positional head prevalence) that should be addressed in pre and postnatal counseling. •The prone sleepers rate in our population highlight the need to improve parental awareness regarding SIDS prevention, in particular in borderline gestational age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ballardini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro, 8-44124 Cona, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - M Sisti
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - N Basaglia
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Benedetto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - A Baldan
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hematology Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - C Borgna-Pignatti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - G Garani
- Department of Medical Sciences, Pediatric Section, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro, 8-44124 Cona, Ferrara, Italy
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