Comorbidities of deformational plagiocephaly in infancy: A scoping review.

AIM: While deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is suspected to be associated with comorbidities, their nature and prevalence are unclear. This scoping review aims to report DP comorbidities occurring until the age of 2 years, their prevalence and whether they depend on the child's age and sex. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified by searching the Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and EBSCO databases from 1992 to 30 April 2021. Data on study characteristics, comorbidities and assessment instruments were extracted and qualitatively synthesised. Risk of bias was assessed and studies with high risk of bias were excluded. RESULTS: Studies meeting selection criteria (n = 27) often evaluated groups from tertiary clinics, implying selection bias. Studies reported on developmental delay (n = 16), limited speech production (n = 1), auditory (n = 3), visual (n = 3), mandibular (n = 3) and neurological impairments (n = 1). The data did not allow prevalence calculation or modifying effect of sex. Due to biased data, the review provided no evidence on DP comorbidities. Weak evidence suggested that in the selective samples, DP was associated with motor and language delays in the first year. CONCLUSION: Due to biased data, no evidence on comorbidity in infants with DP was available. Our study underlined the need of risk of bias assessment in scoping reviews.

Helmet therapy efficacy and its prediction in Japanese infants with positional plagio- and brachycephaly.

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.

Parental Education for the Prevention of Plagiocephaly.

INTRODUCTION: The American Academy of Pediatrics Back-to-Sleep Campaign significantly reduced infant mortality from sudden infant death syndrome. As a result of prolonged supine positioning, the incidence of deformational plagiocephaly has also risen 5-fold since its adoption. We aimed to improve the current educational paradigm for new parents with the goal of reducing the incidence of plagiocephaly within the confines of the Back-to-Sleep Campaign. We hypothesized that the early addition of plagiocephaly focused education for parents would reduce cephalic index, the ratio of head width to length, used as an easily measured objective proxy for positional plagiocephaly. METHODS: Children were screened at their newborn visit. Premature newborns and those diagnosed with craniofacial disorders were excluded. For those enrolled, biparietal and anteroposterior measurements of the head were obtained using manual calipers to obtain cephalic index. Subjects randomly assigned to the intervention group were shown a 2-minute video and given an educational pamphlet on methods to prevent plagiocephaly. Unpaired 2-sample t tests comparing mean differences in intervention and control were performed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine subjects were enrolled as of November 2023 with variable lengths of follow-up completed. The average baseline cephalic index for subjects in the control group was 82.7 and 83.8 for intervention group. Unpaired 2-sample t tests were performed at 2-, 4-, and 6-month time points to analyze the difference between groups. At 4 months, average cephalic index for subjects in the control and treatment group, respectively, was 90.6 and 83.4 (P = 0.02). SIGNIFICANCE: Parental education at the newborn visit led to decreases in cephalic index, a proxy for positional plagiocephaly, compared with control patients. This simple intervention has the potential to reduce parental stress and healthcare costs associated with the evaluation and treatment of plagiocephaly.

Occurrence and Severity of Deformational Plagiocephaly in Infants: A Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the occurrence and severity of deformational plagiocephaly among infants. METHODS: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was done in the pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital between April 1, 2022 to October 31, 2022. Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Argenta Clinical Classification were applied to consecutive infants aged 1 month to 1 year till the calculated sample size was achieved. RESULTS: 67 infants were recruited and the occurrence of deformational plagiocephaly in the sample was estimated to be 46.3%. Level 2 severity of deformational plagiocephaly was the commonest, while as per the Argenta classification, majority belonged to type I (39.2%). Male gender and developmental delay were the significant risk factors for plagiocephaly with an odds ratio (95% CI) of 3.73 (1.23, 11.26) and 19.25 (2.31, 160.3), respectively. CONCLUSION: A high occurrence of deformational plagiocephaly was found in infants studied. There is a need for more studies to further corroborate these findings and study its associated factors.

Mustard Seed Pillow for Prevention of Deformational Plagiocephaly in ≤ 32 Weeks' Gestational Age Infants: An Open Label Randomized.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of using mustard seed filled pillows in preventing deformational plagiocephaly (DP) in premature infants. METHODS: A prospective open label randomized trial was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India. Eligible preterm infants born at ≤32 weeks and <1500 g admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups. In addition to standard nesting, the intervention group was positioned using a mustard pillow, while the control group was positioned using nesting alone. Plagiocephaly was assessed using the Cranial Index (CI), Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Argenta classification within the first week and at 4 weeks postnatal age. RESULTS: Twenty-eight infants, each in the control and intervention groups, were included for analysis. At 4 weeks postnatal age, the intervention group had lower mean (SD) CVAI scores when compared to the control group [3.16 (1.89 vs 7.85 (2.63)] with adjusted odds ratio, aOR (95% CI) of 28.2 (3.8, 210.01), P < 0.01. More number of infants in the control group had plagiocephaly measured using Argenta classification [aOR (95% CI) 25.70 (2.80, 235.67), P < 0.01]. There were no differences in the Cranial Index scores in the intervention and control groups [aOR (95% CI) 0.41 (0.11, 1.52), P = 0.184]. CONCLUSION: A mustard seed pillow is an easily available and a cost-effective intervention for preventing plagiocephaly in hospitalized preterm infants.

Prevalence and Severity of Positional Posterior Plagiocephaly and Positional Posterior Brachycephaly in Children and Adolescents in Japan.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence, severity, and natural history of positional posterior plagiocephaly (PPP) and positional posterior brachycephaly in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional study of pediatric patients, ranging from 0 to 15 years old, evaluated for head trauma with negative computed tomography (CT) findings. The cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) was calculated using CT images at the superior orbital rim. Asymmetry according to CVAI values was subcategorized as follows: mild (3.5%-7%), moderate (7%-12%), and severe (>12%). The results were analyzed according to different age groups: group 1, 2-23 months (54 patients); group 2, 2-6 years (123 patients); and group 3, 7-15 years (123 patients). Overall, 300 patients were included (109 [36.3%] girls and 191 [63.7%] boys). The overall prevalence of PPP in the 300 patients was 46.7% (140 patients). PPP prevalence decreased consistently with age group: group 1, 57.4%; group 2, 47.2%; and group 3, 41.5%. Severe asymmetry was seen in all age groups. The overall mean cephalic index (CI) was 85.2. Cephalic index scores decreased consistently with age: group 1, 87.4; group 2, 85.1; and group 3, 84.3. The prevalence of PPP in Japan was higher than that reported in other countries. Although there was an overall decrease in the prevalence and severity of PPP with increasing patient age, PPP does not necessarily resolve spontaneously in all children. Furthermore, severe asymmetry was seen across all age groups.

El pediatra y los padres en la toma de decisiones de tratamiento en plagiocefalia posicional: una revisión narrativa / The pediatrician and parents in treatment decision-making in positional plagiocephaly: A narrative review

La plagiocefalia posicional (PP) es una de las causas más frecuentes de consulta en neurocirugía pediátrica. La incidencia de PP aumentó en los '90, a partir de la campaña Dormir de espaldas. Junto con el aumento de la demanda de atención, se verifica un debate acerca de la eficacia de los distintos tratamientos. La interacción padres ­ pediatra orientada a elegir la mejor terapéutica adquiere importancia, particularmente cuando se trata de decisiones sensibles a la preferencia. Es necesario saber más acerca de la naturaleza de la toma de decisiones de tratamiento de PP, para contribuir al desarrollo de procesos decisorios eficaces. Se realizó una revisión narrativa sobre investigaciones en toma de decisiones de tratamiento en PP. Se identificaron artículos en PubMed y Google Scholar (1990 ­ 2022) en una búsqueda con los descriptores "plagiocephaly", "decision making" y "parents". Se incluyeron artículos cuyo tema central fuera la toma de decisiones en PP, o que la desarrollaran como parte de otro tema. Se excluyeron trabajos en los que la toma de decisiones aparece de modo secundario o tangencial. Se encontraron 3 artículos con distintos diseños metodológicos, en los que la severidad de la presentación, los elementos socioculturales y emocionales, y los aspectos relacionados con el tratamiento son los factores más implicados en la toma de decisiones. Las relaciones entre la ansiedad parental, las expectativas de tratamiento y la percepción subjetiva de la PP, y el rol del pediatra como proveedor de información válida y confiable son temas que necesitan de ulterior investigación (AU)

Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is one of the main reasons for consultation in pediatric neurosurgery. The incidence of PP increased in the 1990s, after the "Back to Sleep" campaign. Concurrently, the growing demand for care has led to a debate regarding the effectiveness of the different treatments. The parent-pediatrician interaction is aimed at choosing the best therapeutic approach becomes important, particularly when it comes to preference-sensitive decisions. There is a need to better understand the nature of PP treatment decision-making in order to contribute to the development of effective decisionmaking processes. In this narrative review, we evaluated the research on treatment decision-making in PP. Articles were identified in PubMed and Google Scholar (1990 - 2022) using the search terms "plagiocephaly", "decision-making" and "parents". Articles were included if their central theme was decision-making in PP, or if they developed it as part of another subject. We excluded articles in which decision-making appeared in a secondary or tangential way. Three articles were identified with different methodological designs, in which the severity of the presentation, sociocultural and emotional aspects, and aspects related to treatment were the factors most implicated in decision making. The relationships between parental anxiety, treatment expectations, subjective perception of PP, and the role of the pediatrician as a provider of valuable and reliable information are topics that require further investigation (AU)

Deformidades craneales sinostósicas y no sinostósicas / Synostosic and non-synostosic cranial deformities

Las alteraciones de la forma del cráneo han aumentado en las últimas décadas a expensas de las plagiocefalias, como consecuencia de las recomendaciones de la Academia Americana de Pediatría de dormir al lactante en decúbito supino. El clínico debe diferenciar entre plagiocefalia posicional y craneosinostosis, ya que la conducta terapéutica será potencialmente neuroquirúrgica de comprobar una sinostosis craneal. Si bien la tomografía de cráneo tridimensional con ventana ósea es el estudio de mayor sensibilidad y especificidad diagnóstica, la mayoría de los casos pueden confirmarse por la clínica, reservando la radiografía simple o de preferencia la ecografía con enfoque de suturas para casos dudosos. Las craneosinostosis deben derivarse tempranamente a un equipo craneofacial para definir la indicación, oportunidad y técnica quirúrgica más adecuada para evitar futuras complicaciones neurocognitivos y psicosociales. Los niños con plagiocefalias posicionales, independientemente del tratamiento de la deformidad craneal, pueden tener más riesgo de retraso del desarrollo motor. Para su corrección se sugiere reposicionamiento y fisioterapia en formas leves a moderadas, reservando el uso de ortésis craneal en formas graves.

In the last decades alterations in the skull shape have increased at the expense of plagiocephaly, as consequence of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations to sleep the infant in the supine position. The clinician must differentiate between positional plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis, since if a cranial synostosis is proven, the therapeutic behavior will be potentially neurosurgical. Although three-dimensional skull tomography with bone window is the study of greater sensitivity and diagnostic specificity, the majority of cases can be confirmed by the clinic, reserving the radiography or ultrasound with a suture approach for doubtful cases. Craniosynostosis must be early referral to a craniofacial team to define the indication, opportunity and most appropriate surgical technique, in order to avoid future neurocognitive and psychosocial complications. Children with positional plagiocephaly regardless of the treatment of cranial deformity may have a higher risk of motor development delay. For correction, repositioning and physiotherapy are suggested in mild to moderate forms, reserving the use of cranial orthesis in severe forms.

Tratamento de plagiocefalia e braquicefalia posicionais com órtese craniana: estudo de caso / Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly treatment with cranial orthosis: a case report

O número de deformidades cranianas tem aumentado desde que tiveram início os esforços internacionais dos pediatras, com a recomendação de se colocar os filhos para dormirem na posição supina, como estratégia para reduzir a morte súbita do recém-nascido. Se, por um lado, esse programa conseguiu demonstrar resultados muito eficientes nessa redução, por outro, tal recomendação fez com que os casos de assimetrias cranianas aumentassem em incidência. Isso porque os lactentes são mantidos por muito tempo em um só posicionamento, pois há também o uso abusivo de dispositivos como carrinho, bebê-conforto, cadeirinha de carro, balancinho, entre outros. Entre as assimetrias resultantes, as mais encontradas são a plagiocefalia (o crânio em forma de um paralelograma com achatamento occipital e anterior contralateral) e a braquicefalia (o achatamento occipital bilateral). Esse estudo relatou o caso de paciente com uma braquicefalia associada à plagiocefalia deformacionais tratado com órtese craniana. O paciente foi avaliado antes e após o tratamento clinicamente pelo mesmo médico, por meio de registro fotográfico e de um escaneamento a laser, que permite aferir variáveis determinantes das assimetrias. Foi possível, durante o período de tratamento, observar que houve importante melhora na simetria craniana documentada pela diminuição do índice cefálico, diminuição da diferença diagonal e ganho de volume no quadrante que se encontrava mais achatado. Conclui-se que a terapia ortótica constitui modalidade terapêutica segura e eficaz disponível para o tratamento das assimetrias cranianas posicionais.

The number of cranial deformities has increased considerably since international efforts of pediatricians to recommend parents putting their babies to sleep in the supine position as a strategy to reduce sudden death syndrome of the newborn. On the one hand, this program has demonstrated very efficient results at reducing deaths and, on the other hand, such recommendation has increased the incidence of cranial asymmetries. In addition, infants are kept too long in one position, much of this due to abusive use of strollers, baby carriers, car seats, swings and other devices. Among resulting asymmetries, the most frequently found are plagiocephaly (parallelogram shaped skull, with posterior unilateral flattening with the opposite frontal area also flattened) and brachycephaly (occipital bilateral flattening). The present study is a case report of a patient with brachycephaly associated with deformational plagiocephaly treated with cranial orthosis. The same physician clinically evaluated the patient before and after treatment using photographic recording and a laser scanning device, which allows the accurate measurement of variables determining asymmetries. It became clear during treatment that there was significant improvement in cranial symmetry documented by decrease in the cephalic index, diagonal difference and volume gain in the quadrant that was flattened. The authors conclude that orthotic therapy is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for position cranial asymmetries.

Estudo antropométrico das assimetrias craniofaciais na craniossinostose coronal unilateral / Anthropometric study of craniofacial asymmetry in unilateral coronal synostosis

INTRODUÇÃO: A craniossinostose coronal unilateral (CCU) é a ossificação prematura da sutura coronal unilateralmente e provoca uma deformidade em 3 dimensões, que pode afetar o crânio e as órbitas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi aferir e comparar a assimetria do crânio e face dos pacientes portadores de CCU no período pré e pós-operatório. MÉTODO: Nove pacientes foram submetidos à correção da craniossinostose coronal unilateral, entre janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2010. Quatro pacientes foram do sexo feminino e cinco do sexo masculino. Foram aferidas medidas da região craniofacial para quantificar o índice de assimetria craniofacial no período pré-operatório e compará-lo com o período pós-operatório. O índice de assimetria craniofacial (IAC) foi determinado pela diferença entre as medidas craniofaciais diagonais obtidas com o goniômetro. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes submetidos à correção de CCU foi de 2 anos e 1 mês. O tempo médio de cirurgia foi de 2 horas e 46 minutos. O volume médio de sangue transfundido foi de 280 ml. A média das diferenças das medidas diagonais obtidas com o goniômetro no período pré-operatório (IAC) foi de 1,045 e do pós-operatório de 1,009 (p=0,0109), indicando forte tendência à simetria craniofacial após o ato cirúrgico. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento proposto para as CCU foi eficiente na obtenção de simetria craniofacial. Foi necessária a sobrecorreção das estruturas ósseas para obtenção de simetria óssea no período pós-operatório.

INTRODUCTION: Unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS) is a premature fusion of the coronal suture and leads to a three-dimensional deformity that affects the cranium and orbits. The aim of this study was to compare craniofacial skeleton asymmetry preoperatively and postoperatively. METHODS: This is a retrospective study with nine patients who underwent treatment of unilateral coronal synostosis, between January 2007 and December 2010. Four patients were female and five male. The craniofacial measurements were done to quantify an index of craniofacial asymmetry preoperatively and compare to those obtained postoperatively. The craniofacial index (CI) was obtained by calculating the difference between the higher oblique measurement of the craniofacial skeleton and lower oblique measurement of the craniofacial skeleton. RESULTS: The average age of the patients who had undergone to unilateral coronal synostosis correction was 2 years and 1 month. The average time of surgery was 2 hours and 46 minutes. The blood volume transfused was 280 cc. The CI preoperatively was 1.045 and postoperatively was 1.009 (p=0.0109), indicating a tendency to craniofacial symmetry. CONCLUSION: The treatment of UCS was efficient. Bone over correction was necessary to achieve its goal of symmetry in the postoperative period.

Diseño y construcción de un prototipo de ortesis para el tratamiento de la plagiocefalia occipital posicional / Design and construction of a prototype orthesis device for the positional occipital plagiocephaly treatment

Este artículo presenta el desarrollo de un prototipo de dispositivo ortésico para cráneo de pacientes con plagiocefalia occipital posicional, con el fin de aplicarlo en la rehabilitación de infantes entre los cuatro y doce meses de edad. La geometría del dispositivo se obtuvo a partir de las medidas estadísticas estándar de cráneo para infantes de 6 meses de edad de acuerdo con La Academia Americana de Pediatría y por medio del software GID 8. Los esfuerzos y las deformaciones sufridas por el dispositivo durante su aplicación fueron simuladas por medio de elementos finitos usando el software ANSYS® 10.0. Para estandarizar el tratamiento y conocer la presión aplicada por el dispositivo ortésico en el cráneo del paciente, se elaboró un sensor de presión de aire que trabaja en un intervalo de 0 mm Hg a 55 mm Hg. Los resultados muestran que el dispositivo cumple las especificaciones tanto desde el punto de vista de una validación matemática, como desde las especificaciones del diseño en cuanto a la resolución mínima para las medidas de presión sensadas, confort y resistencia...

This paper presents the development of a prototype orthesis device for the cranium of patientswith positional occipital plagiocephaly. This device will allow the rehabilitation of infants between four months and twelve months old. The device geometry was obtained from statistical cranium measurements evaluated in children of 6 months old by the American Academy of Pediatrics as well through software called GID 8. The stress and strain results were taken from the device during activity, or while the equipment applied some forces on the head; simulations were made by the software of finite element called ANSYS® 10.0. An implementation of air sensor to the device made it possible to know the levels of pressure in a range of 0mm Hg a 55mm Hg. This implementation was done in order to get the standardization of the treatment. The mathematic results as well as the design specifications (minimum resolution of the pressure measurements, comfort and resistance) showed that the device maybe used in rehabilitation.

Orthotic treatement improves cranial base abnormality in patients with craniofacial microsomia and deformational plagiocephaly

Craniofacial microsomia is assciated with hypoplasia of the facial skeleton and musculature. These primary defects cause a secondy alteration of the craniofacial skeleton. Current therapies do not attempt to correct the cranial base deformity in childhoold. Another cause of oblique deformities of the skull is deformational plagiocephaly. This common disorder is secundary to external deformational forces and tends to improve with time and may require only conservative treatment. We present two cases of deformational plagiocephaly superimposed upon hemifacial microsomia. Orthotic treatment was utilized to improve both the deformational plagiocephaly and the cranial base deformity. This novel therapy has the potential to correct the cranial base deformity in craniofacial microsomia.