Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Preclinical pathways to treatment in infants with positional cranial deformity
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
Insights
Early detection and specialist consultation are crucial for infant positional plagiocephaly treatment. Delays in seeking care, even with repositioning and physiotherapy, can impact helmet therapy effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Positional plagiocephaly is a common condition in infants.
- Helmet therapy is an effective treatment, but outcomes depend on timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathways to treatment for infants with positional plagiocephaly.
- To identify delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Main Methods:
- Parental interviews with 218 families of affected children.
- Data collection on detection age and prior treatments.
- Descriptive and statistical analyses.
Main Results:
- Cranial deformities detected by 4 months in 78.4% of infants.
- Significant delays between detection and specialist consultation (mean 3.3 months).
- Physiotherapy/osteopathy use was associated with later presentation (P=0.023).
Conclusions:
- A significant delay exists between detecting positional cranial deformity and specialist consultation.
- This delay may negatively impact helmet therapy outcomes.
- Early referral and combined treatments are recommended for optimal results.
Abstract:
Positional plagiocephaly in infants is frequent. As well as positioning, physiotherapy, and osteopathy, helmet therapy is an effective treatment option. The outcome also depends on the timely initiation of treatment. We investigated the preclinical pathways to treatment. Parents of 218 affected children were interviewed. Data were collected regarding detection and the treatments used prior to the first craniofacial consultation at the study clinic in Germany. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed. For 78.4% of the children, the cranial deformities were first detected at ≤4 months of age. One hundred and twenty-two children received helmet therapy. Parents consulted the paediatrician with a mean latency of 0.4 months; 3.3 months passed until the first craniofacial consultation. Approximately 90% were treated with repositioning and 75.2% received additional physiotherapy or osteopathy prior to presentation. Children treated with physiotherapy/osteopathy presented significantly later (P=0.023). The time lapse to craniofacial consultation was not significantly different between children with and without later helmet therapy. We identified a relevant delay between the detection of positional cranial deformity and consultation with a craniofacial specialist. For affected children, this may potentially compromise the outcome of helmet therapy. Early referral to a specialist and if necessary the simultaneous application of different treatments should be preferred.
