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.

Ultrasonography as first line imaging for the diagnosis of positional plagiocephaly.

BACKGROUND: In the last years, numerous studies evaluated different tools for the diagnosis of positional plagiocephaly (PP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate ultrasonography (US) as a first line screening test of lambdoid sutural patency in child with PP and to compare our results with the literature. METHODS: All consecutive patients who referred to our Institute from January 2016 to October 2017 with the suspicion of PP, were included in the study and performed US examination of the lambdoid sutures. A 3-6-month clinical follow-up was performed by a pediatric neurosurgeon or a pediatrician to confirm the diagnosis of PP. RESULTS: Thirty-five children performed US examination and in all cases the diagnosis of PP was confirmed. No cases of anticipated suture fusion were examined during this period. The concordance between US findings and clinical exam follow-up was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography of the lambdoid sutures represents an ideal first-line screening test and reliable alternative to other diagnostic techniques for lambdoid sutural patency in child with PP, being radiation free, fast and cheap.

Delayed Presentation of Unicoronal Craniosynostosis-Masked by Ipsilateral Posterior Deformational Plagiocephaly.

Despite a greater awareness of the differential diagnosis of head shape abnormalities among pediatricians, the effect of deformational forces on calvarial morphology can complicate the diagnosis of craniosynostosis. In this report, we describe 2 patients diagnosed with unicoronal craniosynostosis (UCS) in a delayed fashion due to the presence of concomitant posterior deformational plagiocephaly (PDP). In both cases, the severity of each patients' PDP obscured changes typically associated with UCS. This unique presentation underscores the importance of having a high index of suspicion for possible premature suture fusion despite the presence of concomitant PDP.

UCSQ Method Applied on 3D Photogrammetry: Non-Invasive Objective Differentiation Between Synostotic and Positional Plagiocephaly.

OBJECTIVE: Objective differentiation between unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS) and positional posterior plagiocephaly (PPP) based on 3D photogrammetry according to Utrecht Cranial Shape Quantificator (UCSQ). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Primary craniofacial center. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two unoperated patients (17 UCS; 15 PPP) (age < 1 year). INTERVENTIONS: Extraction of variables from sinusoid curves derived using UCSQ: asymmetry ratio forehead and occiput peak, ratio of gradient forehead and occiput peak, location forehead and occiput peak. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Variables, derived using 3D photogrammetry, were analyzed for differentiation between UCS and PPP. RESULTS: Frontal peak was shifted to the right side of the head in left-sided UCS (mean x-value 207 [192-220]), and right-sided PPP (mean x-value 210 [200-216]), and to the left in right-sided UCS (mean x-value 161 [156-166]), and left-sided PPP (mean x-value 150 [144-154]). Occipital peak was significantly shifted to the right side of the head in left-sided PPP (mean x-value 338 [336-340]) and to the left in right-sided PPP (mean x-value 23 [14-32]). Mean x-value of occipital peak was 9 (354-30) in left- and 2 (350-12) in right-sided UCS. Calculated ratio of gradient of the frontal peak is, in combination with the calculated asymmetry ratio of the frontal peak, a distinctive finding. CONCLUSIONS: UCSQ objectively captures shape of synostotic and positional plagiocephaly using 3D photogrammetry, we therefore developed a suitable method to objectively differentiate UCS from PPP using radiation-free methods.

Facial asymmetry in children with either unilateral lambdoid craniosynostosis or positional posterior plagiocephaly.

BACKGROUND: In unilateral lambdoid craniosynostosis (ULC), the posteriorly situated lambdoid suture of the cranial vault fuses prematurely. Positional posterior plagiocephaly (PPP) causes flattening of the posterior side of the head, either through external forces or through underlying differences in brain development. Both conditions cause occipital flattening of the head, but the aetiology is different. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight ULC children were compared with 16 sex- and age-matched PPP children. 3D computer tomography scans of all 24 children were analysed with Dolphin imaging software. The location and symmetry of the temporomandibular joint (Co), and the symmetry of the maxillary anterior nasal spine (ANS) and the mandibular symphysis (Pgn) were analysed. Furthermore, the mandibular bone (Co-Pgn) length, corpus length, ramus height, positional changes in the external acoustic meatus (PoL) and the distance from the orbital margin to the articular fossa were measured. RESULTS: In all eight ULC children, the Co was anteriorly displaced on the affected side compared with the unaffected side. In all ULC and PPP children, the ANS, which is considered the bony maxillary midpoint, was shifted towards the affected side. In all ULC children, the mandibular bone (Co-Pgn) was shorter on the affected side. The PoL was antero-inferiorly positioned in all ULC children on the affected side compared with the unaffected side. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that both types of posterior plagiocephaly are associated with an asymmetric position of the Co and asymmetry of the mandible and maxilla. Facial asymmetry was more frequently seen in ULC than PPP children.

Using a 3D asymmetry index as a novel form for capturing complex three-dimensionality in positional plagiocephaly.

Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is the most common skull deformity in infants. Different classification systems exist for graduating the degree of PP, but all of these systems are based on two-dimensional (2D) parameters. This limitation leads to several problems stemming from the fact that 2D parameters are used to classify the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the head. We therefore evaluate existing measurement parameters and validate a newly developed 3D parameter for quantifying PP. Additionally, we present a new classification of PP based on a 3D parameter. 210 patients with PP and 50 patients without PP were included in this study. Existing parameters (2D and 3D) and newly developed volume parameters based on a 3D stereophotogrammetry scan were validated using ROC curves. Additionally, thresholds for the new 3D parameter of a 3D asymmetry index were assessed. The volume parameter 3D asymmetry index quantifies PP equally as well as the gold standard of 30° diagonal difference. Moreover, a 3D asymmetry index allows for a 3D-based classification of PP. The 3D asymmetry index can be used to define the degree of PP. It is easily applicable in stereophotogrammetric datasets and allows for comparability both intra- and inter-individually as well as for scientific analysis.

Evaluating Cranial Growth in Japanese Infants Using a Three-dimensional Scanner: Relationship between Growth-related Parameters and Deformational Plagiocephaly.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in the cranial shape of healthy Japanese infants using a three-dimensional scanner and construct a normal values database for the growth process. Preterm infants (gestational age < 37 weeks), infants with neonatal asphyxia (5-minute Apgar score of <7), and patients who started helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly were excluded from this study. The first scan was performed at approximately 1 month of age, followed by two scans conducted at 3 and 6 months of age. The parameters considered were as follows: cranial length, width, height, circumference, volume, cranial vault asymmetry index, and cephalic index. A cranial vault asymmetry index >5% was defined as deformational plagiocephaly. Changes in each parameter were examined using repeated-measures analysis of variance classified by sex and deformational plagiocephaly status. The rate of increase in each parameter was also examined. In total, 88 infants (45 boys and 43 girls) were included in this study. All growth-related parameters were noted to increase linearly with time. Sex differences were observed in all parameters except cranial length. Deformational plagiocephaly was found to have no effect on growth-related parameters. Cranial volume increased by 60% from 1 to 6 months of age. The growth almost uniformly influenced the rate of increase in volume in each coordinate axis direction. Overall, the mean trends in three-dimensional parameters in infants up to 6 months of age were obtained using a three-dimensional scanner. These trends could be used as a guide by medical professionals involved in cranioplasty.

Reference Values for Cranial Morphology Based on Three-dimensional Scan Analysis in 1-month-old Healthy Infants in Japan.

Currently, molded helmet therapy is used to treat infants with deformational plagiocephaly. However, the indices of normal cranial shape remain unclear, and thus, the prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly is unknown, particularly in Japan. We investigated the reference values for cranial morphological characteristics in 1-month-old Japanese infants using a three-dimensional scanner, to determine the prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly. One hundred fifty-three healthy infants who visited three hospitals (from April 2020 to March 2021) were enrolled. Cranial shape was measured using a three-dimensional scanner and was analyzed using image analysis software. Outcome measures were cranial volume, length, width, length-width ratio, circumference, asymmetry, and vault asymmetry index; cephalic index; and anterior, posterior, and overall symmetry ratios. The cranial vault asymmetry index >3.5% or ≥10% were diagnosed as deformational or severe deformational plagiocephaly, respectively. The mean age at measurement was 35.7 days. The mean cranial volume was 559 mL; cranial length, 129 mm; cranial width, 110 mm; length-width ratio, 118%; cephalic index, 85.2%; cranial circumference, 377 mm, cranial asymmetry, 6.4 mm; cranial vault asymmetry index, 5.0%; and anterior, posterior, and overall asymmetry ratios, 93.1%, 91.3%, and 96.4%, respectively. The prevalence of deformational and severe deformational plagiocephaly was 64.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Sex-based differences were observed for cranial volume and width. The results obtained in this study can be considered standard values that can facilitate the differentiation of abnormal infant cranial morphological characteristics for Japanese medical practitioners.

Validation of Skully Care as a Fast Method for Quantifying Positional Cranial Deformities.

OBJECTIVE: Craniofacial measuring is valuable for diagnosis and evaluation of growth and treatment of positional skull deformities. Plagiocephalometry (PCM) quantifies skull deformities and is proven to be reliable and valid. However, PCM needs direct skin contact with thermoplastic material, is laborious and time-consuming. Therefore, Skully Care (SC) was developed to measure positional skull deformities with a smartphone application. DESIGN: SC is retrospectively compared to PCM. SETTING: Pediatric physiotherapy centers. PATIENTS: Age ≤1 year, analyzed or treated for positional skull deformities. INTERVENTIONS: A total of 60 skull shape analyses were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures employed are Pearson correlation coefficient between cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI; in SC) and oblique diameter difference index (ODDI; in PCM) and between cranial index (CI; in SC) and cranial proportional index (CPI; in PCM). Mann-Whitney U test determined difference of time consumption between PCM and SC. RESULTS: High correlation was found between CVAI and ODDI (r = 0.849; P < .01) in positional plagiocephaly and very high correlation between CI and CPI (r = 0.938; P < .01) in positional brachycephaly. SC is significantly faster than PCM (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: SC is valid in analyzing positional skull deformities and strongly correlates to PCM, the gold standard in daily physiotherapy practice. The combination of simplicity, validity, speed, and user and child convenience makes SC a promising craniofacial measuring method in daily practice. SC has potential to be the modern successor for analyzing positional skull deformities.

Automatic detection and monitoring of abnormal skull shape in children with deformational plagiocephaly using deep learning.

Craniofacial anomaly including deformational plagiocephaly as a result of deformities in head and facial bones evolution is a serious health problem in newbies. The impact of such condition on the affected infants is profound from both medical and social viewpoint. Indeed, timely diagnosing through different medical examinations like anthropometric measurements of the skull or even Computer Tomography (CT) image modality followed by a periodical screening and monitoring plays a vital role in treatment phase. In this paper, a classification model for detecting and monitoring deformational plagiocephaly in affected infants is presented. The presented model is based on a deep learning network architecture. The given model achieves high accuracy of 99.01% with other classification parameters. The input to the model are the images captured by commonly used smartphone cameras which waives the requirement to sophisticated medical imaging modalities. The method is deployed into a mobile application which enables the parents/caregivers and non-clinical experts to monitor and report the treatment progress at home.

Fibromatosis colli leading to positional plagiocephaly with gross anatomical and sonographic correlation.

Fibromatosis colli, also known as 'sternocleidomastoid tumour of infancy' or 'pseudotumour of infancy', is a rare condition involving fibrosis and swelling, or 'tumour' of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in newborns that typically occurs after a traumatic delivery. Although usually self-limited, fibromatosis colli can lead to congenital muscular torticollis and positional plagiocephaly due to uneven forces on the neonatal skull. Ultrasound is the diagnostic imaging modality of choice and can prevent additional imaging and unnecessary intervention.

Perceptions and Preferences of Laypersons in the Management of Positional Plagiocephaly.

BACKGROUND: Uncertain clinical evidence for treating positional plagiocephaly, especially with helmet therapy, creates difficulties in counseling parents of patients. This study investigates layperson perceptions and treatment preferences for positional plagiocephaly to provide patient-oriented evidence for management. METHODS: Adult laypersons were recruited through crowdsourcing to view digitally-modified images of normal, mildly, moderately, or severely plagiocephalic infant heads. Participants provided demographic information and rated the infant's head shape and potential related social difficulties, likelihood of consulting a physician for treatment options, and likelihood of seeking helmeting treatment for the infant. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty-five individuals participated in the study. Perception of head shape, prediction of future embarrassment and social difficulties, likelihood of seeking physician evaluation, likelihood of choosing helmet therapy, and willingness-to-pay for helmet therapy were pairwise-different between 4 plagiocephaly severities (corrected-P < 0.001 for all), except between normocephaly (n = 194) and mild (n = 334) plagiocephaly or between moderate (n = 203) and severe (n = 214) plagiocephaly. Younger respondents were more likely to consult a physician (uncorrected-P = 0.016) and choose helmet therapy (uncorrected-P = 0.004) for infants with normocephaly or mild plagiocephaly. Parents of children with physical disabilities were 6 times as likely as other participants to choose helmet therapy for mild plagiocephaly (corrected-P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Laypersons perceived moderate and severe plagiocephaly as equally abnormal and mild plagiocephaly as normal, consistent with their treatment preferences. Parents of physically disabled children were significantly more likely than other participants to choose helmet therapy. Our findings provide medical professionals with lay perspectives on positional plagiocephaly that may facilitate effective counseling of parents.

Positional cranial deformation in children: A plea for the efficacy of the cranial helmet in children.

BACKGROUND: Cranial deformations have historically aroused the interest of people worldwide. One of the more debated points about positional plagiocephaly is the choice of the treatment. In this article, the senior author (CM) shares his experience on almost 30 years of use of the helmet molding therapy in children with deformation plagiocephaly. METHODS AND POPULATION: We retrospectively and systematically reviewed the cases of 2188 patients (75% males and 25% females) presenting positional head deformity and treated between 1991 and 2013 with a cranial helmet. To assess the effectiveness of the helmet, we compared the cranial index in bilateral plagiocephaly and the Cranial Diagonals Difference (CDD) in unilateral plagiocephaly at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: The cranial indexes ranged between 94.4% and 124.2% before the treatment and decreased significantly between 86.8% and 121.4% after the treatment (P<0.01). The CDD ranged between 0.3 cm and 4.5 cm with an average of 1.50±0.54 cm before the treatment and decreased significantly between 0.1 cm and 2.5 cm with an average of 0.72±0.37 cm after the treatment (P<0.01). For unilateral plagiocephaly, at the beginning of the treatment, 2.5% children presented a mild plagiocephaly, 19.6% a moderate plagiocephaly and 77.9% a severe plagiocephaly. At the end of the treatment, the deformation was classified as mild in 40.2% children, moderate in 44.3% children and severe in 15.5% children with significantly less children in the most severe subgroups (P<0.01) Facial symmetry pre-existed before the treatment in 13.7% of children. This rate was significantly increased at the end of the treatment to 66.7% (P<0.01). In only 8 cases (0.2%), the helmet therapy did not allow to obtain correct clinical results and a surgical posterior cranial remodeling was performed. CONCLUSIONS: The results observed in this series confirms that cranial helmet is a simple and well tolerated alternative which bring satisfying results. Its success implies a good collaboration with parents and a management both by orthoptist, physiotherapist and doctor. Nevertheless, it remains many controversies in the literature concerning in particular long-term cosmetic and functional outcomes. A long-term multicentric prospective study could enable to remove doubts.

Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly With Physiotherapy.

Non-synostotic plagiocephaly consists in an asymmetry of the skull due to mechanical forces applied in utero or postnatally: main differential diagnosis is with true synostotic asymmetry, which is caused by the premature closure of a suture. The correction of positional forms is mostly conservative, with 3 main strategies: counterpositioning, physiotherapy and helmet therapy. There is no synthesized evidence on which is the most effective. The Authors evaluate the modification of antropometric measurments before and after a pediatric physical therapy program in a sample of patients with non-synostotic skull asymmetry, in order to evaluate the improvements in the skull shape. The hypothesis being tested was that physical therapy alone could improve the antropometric measurments. The authors enrolled in this study 24 patients diagnosed of non-synostotic asymmetry, clinically and with ultrasound, referred to the Maxillo-facial Unit of Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, within 2013 and 2016. A standardized pediatric physical therapy intervention program was designed: it consisted in a combination of excercises and manipulative procedures to reduce positional preference, musculoskeletal disorders and cranial deformity. Infants received 16 sessions of physical therapy, of 40 minutes each, once a week, for four months. The Authors evaluate the variation of four anthropometric measurments, performed before and after the physical therapy program: Argenta scale, Oblique Diameter Difference Index (ODDI), Cranial Proportional Index (CPI) or Cephalic Ratio (CR), Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI). Craniometric evaluations were extrapolated by standardized 2D digital photographs of frontal, sagittal and transverse planes, by the same physician to minimize bias. The management of positional cranial deformities is still controversially discussed and especially the effects of physiotherapy and osteopathy have been only marginally researched. Statistical analysis revealed the effectiveness of the protocol: all anthropometric measurements improved with a high rate, major in youngest children (P < 0.5) and in more severe first presentations (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results suggest manipulative approach may improve the outcome in the long term follow up of cranial asymmetries.

Prevalence and severity of positional plagiocephaly in children and adolescents.

OBJECT: Though positional posterior plagiocephaly (PPP) is considered common in infants since the pediatric recommendations of "Back to Sleep", several aspects of its natural history still remain unclear. The aim of this study is to understand the actual prevalence and severity of PPP in children and adolescents. METHODS: Head CT scans performed for head trauma during the period September 2016-September 2017 were retrospectively analyzed in a total of 165 children ranging from 0 to 18 years of age (101 boys). Cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) was calculated at the level of the superior orbital rim. CVAI values greater 3.5% was considered index of asymmetry. The results were analyzed according to different age groups: group I: 1 month to 1 year of age (37 children), group II: 2 to 4 years (32 children), group III: 5 to 8 years (36 children), group IV: 9 to 12 years (27 children), and group V: 13 to 18 years (33 children) and the severity of asymmetry according to CVAI values: mild group (CVAI range 3.5-7%), moderate group (CVAI range 7-12%), and severe group (CVAI > 12%). RESULT: The total prevalence of PPP in the 165 children was 25%. While the prevalence in infants of group I was estimated to be 40.5%, it was 15.6% in group II, 30.5% in group III, 18.5% in group IV, and 12% in group V. The mean and maximum degrees of deformation were 3.5% and 15.1%, respectively. Most children had a mild asymmetry. One child (group II) presented a severe asymmetry. The degree of the asymmetry varied according to the groups but moderate asymmetry could be found at all ages even in groups IV and V. CONCLUSION: This study analyzing PPP in an unselected unbiased pediatric population shows that PPP has a high prevalence in adolescents. It confirms that the prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly is more common than usually reported and that PPP may persist at a late age.

Cognitive Outcomes and Positional Plagiocephaly.

: media-1vid110.1542/5972296741001PEDS-VA_2018-2373Video Abstract BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed an association between positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly (PPB) and development, although little is known about long-term outcomes. We examined cognition and academic achievement in children with and without PPB, testing the hypothesis that children who had PPB as infants would score lower than controls. METHODS: We enrolled 187 school-aged children with a history of PPB and 149 controls. Exposures were the presence or absence and severity of infancy PPB (mild, moderate to severe). Cognitive and academic outcomes were assessed by using the Differential Ability Scales, Second Edition and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Third Edition, respectively. RESULTS: Children with PPB scored lower than controls on most scales of the Differential Ability Scales, Second Edition (standardized effect sizes [ESs] = -0.38 to -0.20) and the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Third Edition (ESs = -0.22 to -0.17). Analyses by PPB severity revealed meaningful differences among children with moderate to severe PPB (ESs = -0.47 to -0.23 for 8 of 9 outcomes), but few differences in children with mild PPB (ESs = -0.28 to 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: School-aged children with moderate to severe PPB scored lower than controls on cognitive and academic measures; associations were negligible among children with mild PPB. The findings do not necessarily imply that these associations are causal; rather, PPB may serve as a marker of developmental risk. Our findings suggest a role for assessing PPB severity in clinical practice: providing developmental assessment and intervention for infants with more severe deformation and reassurance and anticipatory guidance for patients with mild deformation.

Head orthosis therapy in positional plagiocephaly: longitudinal 3D-investigation of long-term outcomes, compared with untreated infants and with a control group.

Background: As there are very few long-term studies on the effects of head orthosis on deformational plagiocephaly (DP), we investigated the outcomes of patients, including facial symmetry and dental occlusion. Methods: Forty-five infants with DP [cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) > 3.5 per cent] were divided into two groups: one treated with head orthosis (32 infants) and another without (13 infants). Another group without head asymmetry (CVAI ≤ 3.5 per cent) served as control. Using 3D-stereophotogrammetry, cranial asymmetry was analysed using symmetry-related variables [CVAI, posterior cranial asymmetry index (PCAI), and ear offset]. Data acquisition was performed before (T1) and at the end of treatment (T2), and at the age of 4 years (T3) for the treated group and at T1 and T3 for the remaining groups. Parameters of facial symmetry and dental occlusion were assessed at T3 for infants with DP. Results: Symmetry-related variables (∆T1-T3) improved significantly more in the treated than the control group, whereas these parameters did not differ significantly between the untreated and control group. Comparing the treated and untreated groups between T1 and T3, the reduction in the asymmetry at the treated group was significantly higher for the CVAI and PCAI. In follow-up, the untreated group showed higher incidences of facial asymmetries than the treated group. Seventy-five per cent of all lateral crossbites found in patients with DP were contralateral to the posterior flattening. Limitations: Due to ethical reasons, the investigation is a non-randomized study. Parameters of facial symmetry were only assed for the treated and untreated groups. Conclusion: Head orthosis therapy in patients with DP leads to significantly better long-term outcomes. Facial asymmetries are more frequent in patients with DP who do not receive this treatment.

Infant/toddler motor skills as predictors of cognition and language in children with and without positional skull deformation.

PURPOSE: To estimate associations between early motor abilities (at two age points, 7 and 18 months on average) and cognitive/language outcomes at age 3. To determine whether these associations are similar for children with and without positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly (PPB). METHODS: The Bayley Scales of Infant/Toddler Development 3 were given at all age points to 235 children with PPB and 167 without PPB. Linear regressions assessed longitudinal associations between fine and gross motor scales and cognition/language. Item analyses examined the contributions of specific motor skills. RESULTS: Associations between 7-month motor skills and cognition/language were modest overall (effect sizes [ES] = - 0.08 to 0.10, p = .13 to .95). At 18 months, both fine and gross motor skills were associated with outcomes for children with PPB (ES = 0.21 to 0.41, p < .001 to .01), but among those without PPB, only fine motor skills were associated with outcomes (ES = 0.21 to 0.27, p < .001 to .001). CONCLUSIONS: Toddlers' motor skills were associated with cognition and language at 3 years, particularly among children with PPB. Interventions targeting early motor development in infants and toddlers with PPB may have downstream benefits for other outcomes.

Identification and Management of Cranial Anomalies in Perinatology.

Neonatal skull and head shape anomalies are rare. The most common cranial malformations encountered include craniosynostosis, deformational plagiocephaly, cutis aplasia, and encephalocele. Improved prenatal imaging can diagnose morphologic changes as early as the second trimester. Prenatal identification also provides perinatologists and neonatologists with valuable information that helps to optimize care during and after delivery. Cranial anomalies require a multidisciplinary team approach and occasionally a lifetime of care. Today, care begins with the perinatologist as many cranial anomalies can be identified in utero with recent advances in prenatal testing.

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

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.