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Deformational plagiocephaly at birth: an observational study on the role of assisted reproductive technologies
Laura Pogliani1, Chiara Cerini, Teresa Vivaldo
1Department of Pediatrics and.
Insights
Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) affects 20.3% of newborns. While linked to twinning and pregnancy complications, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are not an independent risk factor for DP.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Craniofacial Development
Background:
- The
- back to sleep
- campaign increased deformational plagiocephaly (DP) rates.
- Maternal, pregnancy, and infant factors may influence DP occurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for DP at birth.
- Investigate the association between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and DP, given ART's link to pregnancy complications.
Main Methods:
- 413 neonates born >33 weeks gestation were studied.
- Skull measurements, including oblique cranial length ratio (OCLR), were taken within 72 hours of birth.
- DP defined as OCLR > 105.9.
Main Results:
- DP prevalence was 20.3%.
- Risk factors included twinning, pregnancy complications, prematurity, ART use, and male gender.
- ART association with DP disappeared after adjusting for multiple pregnancies.
Conclusions:
- Offspring from ART pregnancies do not show an increased risk of DP.
- Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings due to small sample size.
Background:
Following the "back to sleep" recommendations, a striking rise in deformational plagiocephaly (DP) occurred. However, additional maternal, pregnancy and infant conditions may play a role.
Objectives:
We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for DP at birth. Additionally, given the association between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) use and unfavorable pregnancy events, we explored the association between ART and DP.
Patients And Methods:
A total of 413 neonates >33 weeks born at L. Sacco Hospital (Milan, Italy) from May 2011 through to January 2012 were enrolled. Data regarding parental, conceivement, pregnancy and delivery characteristics were recorded. Infants' skull measurements, including the oblique cranial length ratio (OCLR) were taken within 72 h after birth. Plagiocephaly was defined for OCLR > 105.9.
Results:
The prevalence of DP was 20.3%. It was associated with twinning (OR 5.0; 95%CI 2.22-11.1), pregnancy complications (OR 2.86; 95%CI 1.49-5.26), prematurity (OR 2.13; 95%CI 0.98-4.54), ART use (OR 2.00; 95%CI 0.90-4.35) and male gender (OR 1.79; 95%CI 0.94-2.50). Adjusting for multiple pregnancies however, the association between ART and DP disappeared.
Conclusion:
Results show that offspring of pregnancies conceived through ART do not have increased risk of DP. However, our numbers are small thus larger studies are needed for definitive conclusions.
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