Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Insights
Preventing deformational plagiocephaly involves alternating baby
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Biology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Deformational plagiocephaly is skull asymmetry caused by external forces in the supine position.
- Risk factors include prolonged supine positioning.
- Early intervention is key for managing plagiocephaly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for deformational plagiocephaly.
- To compare physiotherapy with counselling and helmet therapy.
- To assess outcomes for moderate to severe cases.
Main Methods:
- Review of evidence for positioning techniques (alternating head position, increased prone time).
- Assessment of physiotherapy interventions, including exercises for torticollis.
- Analysis of outcomes associated with helmet therapy (molding therapy).
Main Results:
- Physiotherapy is more effective than counselling alone for existing plagiocephaly.
- Helmet therapy has drawbacks including cost, inconvenience, and skin issues.
- Helmet therapy may speed initial improvement but doesn't alter final outcomes in moderate/severe cases.
Conclusions:
- Preventive positioning and physiotherapy are effective strategies for deformational plagiocephaly.
- Helmet therapy offers limited long-term benefits for moderate to severe plagiocephaly.
- Further research may clarify optimal treatment pathways.
Abstract:
Cranial asymmetry occurring as a result of forces that deform skull shape in the supine position is known as deformational plagiocephaly. The risk of plagiocephaly may be modified by positioning the baby on alternate days with the head to the right or the left side, and by increasing time spent in the prone position during awake periods. When deformational plagiocephaly is already present, physiotherapy (including positioning equivalent to the preventive positioning, and exercises as needed for torticollis and positional preference) has been shown to be superior to counselling about preventive positioning only. Helmet therapy (moulding therapy) to reduce skull asymmetry has some drawbacks: it is expensive, significantly inconvenient due to the long hours of use per day and associated with skin complications. There is evidence that helmet therapy may increase the initial rate of improvement of asymmetry, but there is no evidence that it improves the final outcome for patients with moderate or severe plagiocephaly.
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