Positional plagiocephaly reduces parental adherence to SIDS Guidelines and inundates the health system

Abstract

There is a need to re-emphasize sudden infant death syndrome guidelines for families when they present with an infant with plagiocephaly. Stronger messaging regarding the lack of safety of current pillows marketed to prevent flat head may be useful to decrease their use. Increasing education for all health professionals including general practitioners, allied health and complementary health providers and standardizing assessment and referral criteria may allow the majority of diagnosis and treatment of positional plagiocephaly to occur at points of first contact (e.g. general practitioners, community nurse) and may prevent further burden on the health care system.

Cognitive Outcomes and Positional Plagiocephaly

“…In a recent review, most of the studies reviewed revealed an association between PPB and developmental outcomes. 8 Aside from the Miller and Clarren 7 study, nearly all of this research involved infants and toddlers.…”

Infant/toddler motor skills as predictors of cognition and language in children with and without positional skull deformation

“…[16] In a recent review paper, 13 of 19 studies reviewed reported developmental delays among infants with PPB. In children < 2 years of age, motor skills were the most commonly affected domain.…”

“…This is not surprising given the known link between skull deformation and limitations in head and neck movement (e.g., torticollis), and associations between skull deformation and environmental restrictions on movement (e.g., consistent sleep positioning, limited ‘tummy time’). [16]…”

“…Although initially considered a purely cosmetic condition, PPB has been associated with other medical problems and with an increased risk of developmental delay. [16] In a recent review paper, 13 of 19 studies reviewed reported developmental delays among infants with PPB. In children < 2 years of age, motor skills were the most commonly affected domain.…”

Integrating new knowledge into practice: An evaluation study on a continuing education for Swedish child health nurses on non‐synostotic plagiocephaly

“…In a qualitative study using focus group discussion and semi‐structured interviews in Australia, parents’ views of NSP prevention were examined. (Martiniuk, Jacob, Faruqui, & Yu, ). The researchers reported that some parents were more concerned about preventing NSP than SIDS because NSP was more of a reality.…”