Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Infant Positioning, Baby Gear Use, and Cranial Asymmetry
Anne H Zachry1, Vikki G Nolan2, Sarah B Hand3
1Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Ave, Suite 616, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA. azachry@uthsc.edu.
Insights
Infants diagnosed with cranial asymmetry spent less time in prone play. Healthcare professionals should educate parents on the importance of varied infant positioning and tummy time to prevent this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Infant Health
Background:
- Cranial asymmetry, also known as positional plagiocephaly, is a common condition in infants.
- Factors influencing infant head shape development are crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of cranial asymmetry in infants.
- To investigate the association between time spent in baby gear, prone positioning, and side-lying with cranial asymmetry.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with caregivers of both typically developing infants and infants diagnosed with cranial asymmetry.
- Data collection focused on infant positioning, including time in baby gear, prone play, and side-lying.
Main Results:
- Caregivers reported significantly less time spent in prone play for infants diagnosed with cranial asymmetry compared to those without the condition.
- No statistically significant associations were found between cranial asymmetry and time spent in side-lying or in baby gear.
Conclusions:
- Reduced prone playtime is a significant predictor of cranial asymmetry in infants.
- Healthcare providers must emphasize early education for parents regarding the benefits of varied infant positioning and prone play to mitigate risks and address parental concerns.
Abstract:
Objectives This study aimed to identify predictors of cranial asymmetry. We hypothesize that among infants diagnosed with cranial asymmetry in the sampled region, there is an association between exposure to more time in baby gear and less awake time in prone and side-lying than in infants who do not present with this condition. Methods The study employed a cross sectional survey of caregivers of typically developing infants and infants diagnosed with cranial asymmetry. Results A mutivariable model reveals that caregivers of children who are diagnosed with cranial asymmetry report their children spending significantly less time in prone play than those children without a diagnosis of cranial asymmetry. Side-lying and time spent in baby gear did not attain statistical significance. Conclusions for Practice Occupational therapists, physical therapists, pediatricians, nurses and other health care professionals must provide parents with early education about the importance of varying positions and prone play in infancy and address fears and concerns that may serve as barriers to providing prone playtime.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Anatomical Positions
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
01:22Sutures of the Skull
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
01:08Overview of the Skull
The cranial vault surrounds and protects the brain and houses the middle and inner ear structures. This cavity is bounded superiorly by the rounded top of the skull, which...