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Risk factors associated with positional plagiocephaly in healthy Iranian infants: a case-control study
Babak Solani1,2, Motahare Talebian Ardestani1,2, Homa Boroumand1
1Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
Insights
Positional plagiocephaly (PP) in infants is linked to male gender, larger head circumference, multiple births, abnormal presentation, first-time mothers, and sleeping on the back. These factors increase the incidence of PP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infant Health
- Craniofacial Development
Background:
- Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is defined as skull deformation from external forces without synostosis.
- Identifying risk factors for PP is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and determine the specific risk factors associated with positional plagiocephaly (PP) in a cohort of healthy Iranian infants.
- To provide data that can inform clinical practice and parental guidance regarding infant head shape development.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 300 healthy Iranian infants aged 8-12 weeks.
- Infants were referred to a pediatric neurology clinic for evaluation using Argenta's scale for plagiocephaly assessment.
Main Results:
- Significant associations found between PP and male gender (OR=2.26), increased head circumference (OR=1.22), multiple pregnancy (OR=2.55), abnormal uterine presentation (OR=2.18), primiparity (OR=2.43), and supine sleep position (OR=2.97).
- Factors such as delivery type, headrest firmness, oligohydramnios, and prolonged labor showed no significant correlation with PP.
Conclusions:
- Head circumference, male gender, primiparity, multiple pregnancy, supine sleep position, and abnormal uterine presentation are correlated with a higher incidence of PP.
- Further research is recommended to fully elucidate the complex factors contributing to positional plagiocephaly and its management.
Objectives:
Deformation of the skull by external forces in the absence of synostosis has been defined as positional plagiocephaly (PP). The aim of this investigation was to determine the risk factors of PP in healthy Iranian infants.
Materials & Methods:
This case-control study was performed on 300 healthy Iranian infants aged 8-12 weeks who were referred to the pediatric neurology clinic at Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan. Plagiocephaly evaluations were done using Argenta's scale.
Results:
Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, there was a significant association between PP and male gender (OR=2.26; P=0.002), head circumference (OR=1.22; P=0.006), multiple pregnancy (OR=2.55; P=0.03), abnormal presentation in uterine (OR=2.18; P=0.02), primiparity (OR=2.43; P=0.003), and supine sleep position (OR=2.97; P<0.001). However, type of delivery, firmness of headrest, oligohydramnios, and prolonged labor were not correlated with PP.
Conclusions:
The current investigation supports the idea that head circumference, male gender, primiparity, multiple pregnancy, supine sleep position, and abnormal presentation in the uterine are correlated with a greater incidence of PP. Further investigations should be undertaken to understand PP and its related risk factors fully.
