Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-12.txt) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/ip_info/view_data.php on line 93

Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/virtual/pediatrics/journal/ip_info/view_data.php on line 94
Importance of pediatrician’s role in preventing positional plagiocephaly

Importance of pediatrician’s role in preventing positional plagiocephaly

Article information

Clin Exp Pediatr. 2024;67(6):294-295
Publication date (electronic) : 2024 May 21
doi : https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2023.01025
Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea
Corresponding author: Hee-Jeong Kang, MD, PhD. Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, 7 Keunjaebong-gil, Hwaseong 18450, Korea Email: chunjae1220@gmail.com
Received 2023 July 28; Revised 2023 October 11; Accepted 2023 October 21.

Key message

· Plagiocephaly is characterized by the asymmetrical shape of a baby’s head.

· Since positional plagiocephaly is associated with developmental delay and further musculoskeletal problems, early detection allows for timely intervention and prevents worsening of the condition.

· Pediatricians can educate parents about proper head positioning and encourage supervised tummy time during awake hours.

Plagiocephaly refers to the condition of asymmetrical skull deformation in a baby. The majority of cases are positional plagiocephaly (PP), in which the asymmetrical head shape is not caused by craniosynostosis but rather by external pressure at birth or during the general growth process [1-3]. Since craniosynostosis requires surgical treatment, it is important to differentiate it from PP. This is done through a detailed physical examination (evaluating craniofacial asymmetry, ridged sutures, and other musculoskeletal deformities) and imaging tests (such as skull x-rays and cranial computed tomography scans) [4]. Because the prevalence of PP is by no means small at about 3% and head shape is of great cosmetic interest to caregivers of infants, primary medical physicians receive much counseling about the shape of babies’ heads [3]. Moreover, because PP is reportedly associated with developmental delay and further musculoskeletal problems, primary care physicians should pay careful attention to patients at risk of PP [1,3,5,6].

Due to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Back to Sleep campaign, parents are well aware that their babies should be placed in supine position to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) [2,5,7]. However, the fact that keeping them in supine position even during awake hours can result in positional skull deformity is relatively less well known. Hence, once a baby can control its neck, placing the baby on its belly for tummy time becomes essential. The World Health Organization recommends supervised tummy time since it promotes gross motor development and can reduce the occurrence of PP [8]. However, as mentioned in a paper by Yoon et al. [9], many Korean guardians do not know exactly whether prone-to-supine or supine-to-prone rolling over comes first due to inaccuracy of the Korean word for “rolling over.” In addition, according to Yoon, there are more cases in which the order of rolling over occurs in reverse. Because of this perception, parents may place their baby flat on their backs even when awake, which increases the risk of PP.

Since head shape is determined within a few months of birth and could last for a lifetime, the rapid detection of and early intervention for PP are required [1,2,7]. First, parents should recognize that immobility is associated with delayed gross motor development or PP and encourage spontaneous and unhindered physical movement from birth [2]. If PP is detected before 3 months of age, allowing the baby to lie on the protruding part of the head rather than on the flattened area when on the floor or while sleeping may be helpful [10]. In addition to promoting posture changes during supine positioning, caregivers should be educated to provide frequent tummy time as the baby develops the ability to control its neck (Fig. 1) [8]. After 4 months of age, if the severity of PP is mild to moderate according to measurements of the difference between the longest and shortest cranial diagonal diameter, continued repositioning is needed. If the infant has severe PP, initiating helmet therapy for more than 20 hours per day can improve the head shape. Helmet therapy is typically most effective when started before 6 months of age, while its effectiveness is significantly reduced when initiated after 12 months of age [10].

Fig. 1.

How to help the baby to roll over and prevent positional plagiocephaly.

Pediatricians regularly monitor infants during office visits. In Korea, the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children is conducted 8 times for all infants and children [11]. The first check-up takes place at 14–35 days after birth, while the second check-up is conducted at 4–6 months of age. Additionally, for vaccinations, the infant visits the pediatricianup to 5 times before 6 months of age [12]. Therefore, it is most appropriate for pediatricians to screen patients with potential cranial issues, including plagiocephaly, during these visits. Pediatricians should not only educate guardians to keep their baby in the supine position during sleep to prevent SIDS, but they should also inform them about the importance of appropriate physical movement and tummy time during awake hours once the baby can control its head [2]. If PP is detected, it is crucial to provide proper and prompt intervention to prevent gross motor and long-term developmental delays [6]. In this context, the pediatrician’s attention and responsibility are very important.

Notes

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

1. Inchingolo AD, Inchingolo AM, Piras F, Malcangi G, Patano A, Di Pede C, et al. A systematic review of positional plagiocephaly prevention methods for patients in development. Appl Sci 2022;12:11172.
2. Cavalier A, Picot MC, Artiaga C, Mazurier E, Amilhau MO, Froye E, et al. Prevention of deformational plagiocephaly in neonates. Early Hum Dev 2011;87:537–43.
3. Rohde JF, Goyal NK, Slovin SR, Hossain J, Pachter LM, Di Guglielmo MD. Association of positional plagiocephaly and developmental delay within a primary care network. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2021;42:128–34.
4. Santiago GS, Santiago CN, Chwa ES, Purnell CA. Positional plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis. Pediatr Ann 2023;52:e10–7.
5. Andrews BT, Fontana SC. Plagiocephaly and developmental delay: the expanding role of the craniofacial surgeon. J Craniofac Surg 2016;27:1381–2.
6. Martiniuk AL, Vujovich-Dunn C, Park M, Yu W, Lucas BR. Plagiocephaly and developmental delay: a systematic review. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2017;38:67–78.
7. Laughlin J, Luerssen TG, Dias MS; Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, Section on Neurological Surgery. Prevention and management of positional skull deformities in infants. Pediatrics 2011;128:1236–41.
8. Hewitt L, Kerr E, Stanley RM, Okely AD. Tummy time and infant health outcomes: a systematic review. Pediatrics 2020;145e20192168.
9. Yoon JA, Kim SY, Shin YB. Effect of rolling over pattern and caregiver perception on plagiocephaly in Korean infants. Clin Exp Pediatr 2023;66:272–3.
10. Jung BK, Yun IS. Diagnosis and treatment of positional plagiocephaly. Arch Craniofac Surg 2020;21:80–6.
11. The National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC) [Internet]. Wonju (Korea): National Health Insurance Service; 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.nhis.or.kr/nhis/healthin/wbhaca04800m01.do.
12. Choi EH, Park SE, Kim YJ, Jo DS, Kim YK, Eun BW, et al. Recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents: Committee on Infectious Diseases of the Korean Pediatric Society, 2018. Korean J Pediatr 2019;62:252–6.

Article information Continued

Fig. 1.

How to help the baby to roll over and prevent positional plagiocephaly.