Positional plagiocephaly from structure to function: Clinical experience of the service of pediatric osteopathy in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study is to evaluate disorders related to positional plagiocephaly and introduce a new model of early intervention based on the osteopathic integrated approach. METHODS: We review clinical experience of the "Program for Neurodevelopmental Follow-up and Pediatric Osteopathy", a service dedicated to newborns at risk for developmental disorders. RESULTS: We present clinical data of 310 newborns followed during first years of life. Data analysis examines perinatal history, general features and disorders that could be related to plagiocephaly. CONCLUSIONS: The experience confirms that plagiocephaly is not only a problem regarding the shape of the head, it involves the functions. In our Service most babies (81%) with positional plagiocephaly showed isolated or associated disorders that had an impact on growth, behavior and development. The early intervention based on the osteopathic integrated approach is addressed not only to the cranial shape but consider the baby as a whole, and the environment where he lives.