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Positional plagiocephaly: what the pediatrician needs to know. A review

Child's Nervous System volume 27, pages 1867–1876 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

Positional or deformational plagiocephaly is the most common type of cranial asymmetry in infancy and has become more prevalent after the introduction of the “Back to Sleep” campaign in Western countries. However, the supine position cannot be considered as the only etiologic factor and different predisposing variables have been investigated in the last few years.

Discussion

The pediatrician should correctly diagnose this condition and exclude the possibility of craniosynostosis in any child with plagiocephaly in order to optimize management and reduce potential morbidity associated with different conditions other than positional ones. In addition, the pediatrician needs to be able to educate parents on methods to proactively decrease the likelihood of the development of occipital flattening, initiate appropriate management, and make referrals when necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy

    Laura Pogliani, Chiara Mameli, Valentina Fabiano & Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti

Authors
  1. Laura Pogliani
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  2. Chiara Mameli
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  3. Valentina Fabiano
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  4. Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
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Correspondence to Laura Pogliani.

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Pogliani, L., Mameli, C., Fabiano, V. et al. Positional plagiocephaly: what the pediatrician needs to know. A review. Childs Nerv Syst 27, 1867–1876 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1493-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1493-y

Keywords

  • Deformational plagiocephaly
  • Cranial deformation
  • Back to Sleep campaign
  • Skull asymmetry