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Prevalence of head deformities in preterm infants at term equivalent age

Sascha Ifflaender1, Mario Rüdiger, Dimitrios Konstantelos

  • 1Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany.

Early Human Development
|September 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Head deformities are common in preterm infants, with significant prevalence of plagiocephaly and dolichocephaly observed at term equivalent age. Early interventions are crucial to prevent these conditions in vulnerable newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Pediatric neurology
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Increasing incidence of nonsynostotic head deformities in newborns.
  • Preterm infants exhibit higher rates of anomalous head shapes compared to term infants.
  • Limited data exists on the early prevalence of head deformities in preterm populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Quantify head shape in preterm infants at Term Equivalent Age (TEA).
  • Determine the prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities.
  • Identify potential risk factors associated with head deformities.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study design.
  • Utilized non-invasive laser shape digitizer for head scans.
  • Calculated Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Cranial Index (CI).
  • Categorized deformation type and severity across gestational age groups.
  • Analyzed perinatal and postnatal patient data for associations.

Main Results:

  • Higher CVAI (4.1%) in very preterm infants at TEA.
  • 38% prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly in very preterm infants.
  • Lower CI in very (71.4%) and late (77.2%) preterm infants versus term infants (80.0%).
  • Significant dolichocephaly prevalence: 73% in very preterm, 28% in late preterm infants compared to 11% in term infants.

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities in preterm infants at TEA.
  • Necessity for interventions to prevent head deformities during neonatal hospitalization.
  • Highlights the need for targeted preventative strategies in neonatal care for preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
3DBPDBronchopulmonary DysplasiaCICPAPCSCVAICephalometryCesarean SectionContinuous Positive Airway PressureCranial IndexCranial Vault Asymmetry IndexDPDeformational PlagiocephalyDolichocephalyGAGestational AgeHCHead CircumferenceHead growthICHIMCIMVIQRInfant pretermIntermediate CareInterquartile RangeIntracranial HemorrhageInvasive Mechanical VentilationMaxMaximumMinMinimumNECNecrotizing EnterocolitisOROdds RatioPMAPlagiocephalyPostmenstrual AgeTEATerm Equivalent AgeThree-Dimensional

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