In The News: Lower Developmental Scores Due to Plagiocephaly

A study of preschool age children with deformational plagiocephaly (DP) shows that they have lower developmental scores than other children, according to a study published on December 24th in Pediatrics. The study looked at 224 children with deformational plagiocephaly, and a control group of 221 without, at the age of 36 months. To measure child development, they administered the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III).

The results of the study showed that children with DP scored lower on all scales of the BSID-III than those without, and the greatest differences were seen in cognition, language, and adaptive behavior reported by their parents. Even children who were in the control group and were not previously diagnosed with deformational plagiocephaly, but were later rated by pediatricians to have mild cranial deformation, scored lower on the BSID-III than those in the control group who were unaffected.

It is noted that this does not necessarily imply that deformational plagiocephaly causes developmental problems, however it may serve as a marker of developmental risk, and doctors and specialists should screen children with DP for developmental issues, so that early intervention can be made if necessary.

My own son, although his plagiocephaly has been corrected with a helmet, is still exhibiting developmental delays (gross motor skills and speech) at age 14 months.  He had previously completed physical therapy for torticollis, and his neck looks great.  However he is now starting physical therapy again for his developmental delays.

Here is a link to the research study:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/12/19/peds.2012-1779.abstract

For complete information on flat head syndrome in babies including positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, as well as how to prevent and treat these conditions, please see our ebook.

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