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[Positional plagiocephaly in infancy: diagnosis and management]
Oliver P Gautschi1, Benedict Rilliet, Karl Schaller
1Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève et Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève.
Insights
Positional plagiocephaly, a common newborn head shape issue, has increased since the "back to sleep" campaign. Treatment is conservative, focusing on repositioning and physical therapy, with helmets used in some cases for cosmetic improvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Context:
- Increased incidence of positional plagiocephaly in newborns.
- Association with the "back to sleep" campaign for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention.
- Head shape deformation typically worsens in the first six months of life.
Purpose:
- To describe positional plagiocephaly in newborns.
- To outline current conservative treatment strategies.
- To discuss the outcomes and implications of this condition.
Summary:
- Positional plagiocephaly involves posterior head flattening and asymmetry in infants.
- The condition is often exacerbated by prolonged supine positioning.
- Management includes repositioning, physical therapy, and occasionally custom-fitted helmets.
Impact:
- Positional plagiocephaly is primarily an aesthetic concern with no impact on neurological development.
- Conservative treatments yield favorable spontaneous outcomes in many cases.
- Helmet therapy can effectively correct deformities when indicated, leading to good cosmetic results.
Abstract:
Positional plagiocephaly in the newborn corresponds to a posterior flattening and asymetry of the head. Its incidence has significantly increased since the "back to sleep" campain in the nineteen nineties to prevent sudden infant death syndrome. The posterior deformation usually worsens during the first six months of life when the skull is susceptible to posterior constant pressure which induces the deformation. Spontaneous outcome can be favorable. Treatment is always conservative and consists in positionnal exercise, physiotherapy and osteopathy. In some cases treatment with a helmet is recommended for a period of three months usually. Posterior positionnal plagiocephaly has no consequences on the brain's developement an is considered as an esthetic issue. In most cases good results are obtained after management with a custom fitted helmet when needed.
