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Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is a common condition and the leading cause of head shape abnormalities in infants. It is characterized by asymmetrical distortion of the skull resulting from external forces on the back of the head. DP has become more prevalent in infants and has increased dramatically since the introduction in 1994 of the "Back to Sleep” campaign. Management of this condition is not often covered by insurance, and can be costly and lengthy; However, DP can be prevented. Early recognition and management can make a significant difference in patients’ outcomes and reduce the cost of treatment. Nurses play a key role in recognition and prevention, are instrumental in educating parents and caregivers, and have a significant impact on preventing and reducing the risk of DP. Current systematic approaches to clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management strategies of DP can help nurses who care for infants and their families understand DP and take the necessary steps to prevent it.
Key Words: Deformational plagiocephaly, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), cranial helmet, deformational posterior plagiocephaly, positional plagiocephaly, posterior plagiocephaly, occipital plagiocephaly, nonsynostosis plagiocephaly, plagiocephaly without synostosis.
Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is the leading cause of head shape abnormalities in infants, and it is characterized by an asymmetrical distortion of the skull resulting from external forces (Rogers, 2011a, b). A persistent or prolonged resting head orientation or supine position may expose the infant's rapidly growing and malleable cranial bones to external forces. Over time, this position will lead to cranial deformation and flattening of one side of the skull, resulting in DP (Pogliani, Mameli, Fabiano, & Zuccotti, 2011). A common condition, DP has been referred to by many names, such as deformational posterior plagiocephaly, positional plagiocephaly, posterior plagiocephaly, occipital plagiocephaly, nonsynostosis plagiocephaly, or plagiocephaly without synostosis (Flannery, Looman, & Kemper, 2012; Laughlin, Luerssen, & Dias, for the Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine Section on Neurological Surgery, 2011; Looman & Flannery, 2012; Shweikeh, Nuño, Danielpour, Krieger, & Drazin, 2013).
Background
DP has become more prevalent in infants and has increased since the introduction of the "Back to Sleep" 1994 campaign, which recommended placing healthy infants on their back to sleep, based on the evidence that the supine position might reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (American...