Deformational plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and scaphocephaly. Part II: prevention and treatment
1Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Cranial deformation, a common cause of abnormal head shape, is rising due to infant sleep practices. This review offers a clinical approach to understanding and managing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Biology
- Medical History
Background:
- Abnormal head shape is frequently caused by cranial deformation.
- External pressure on an infant's skull during development leads to changes in cranial form.
- Recent shifts in infant sleep practices have increased the incidence of cranial deformation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a pragmatic clinical approach to cranial deformation.
- To critically review the literature on the diagnosis and management of abnormal head shape.
- To explore the historical, etiological, and therapeutic aspects of cranial deformation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on historical perspective, terminology, differential diagnosis, and etiopathogenesis.
- Examination of predisposing factors for cranial deformation.
- Analysis of prevention and treatment strategies for abnormal head shape.
Main Results:
- Cranial deformation is the most prevalent cause of abnormal head shape.
- Changes in infant sleeping practices are linked to a rise in cranial deformation.
- A comprehensive understanding of the condition requires reviewing its history, causes, and treatments.
Conclusions:
- Cranial deformation necessitates a thorough clinical evaluation.
- Understanding the historical context and etiopathogenesis aids in diagnosis and management.
- Effective prevention and treatment strategies are crucial for addressing the rise in cranial deformation.
Abstract:
Cranial deformation is the most common cause of abnormal head shape. Intentional and unintentional alterations of cranial form are associated with the application of external pressure to the growing infant head, and such changes have been recorded throughout man's history. Recent changes in Western sleeping practices, instituted to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome, have led to a dramatic rise in cranial deformation and renewed interest in this subject. This 2-part review presents a pragmatic clinical approach to this topic including a critical review of the literature as it applies to each aspect of this common diagnosis: historical perspective, terminology, differential diagnosis, etiopathogenesis and predisposing factors, and prevention and treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Sutures of the Skull
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:30Neurulation
01:16Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
01:07Teratogenicity