INTRODUCTION
Positional plagiocephaly is a condition of asymmetrical cranial morphology caused by an extrinsic factor, such as pressure, rather than an intrinsic factor [
1]. It is also called non-synostotic plagiocephaly or deformational plagiocephaly. There are many causes of positional plagiocephaly, but sleeping position is assumed to play a major role in etiology. The incidence of positional plagiocephaly has increased with the start of 'Back to Sleep' campaign by the American Academy of Pediatrics [
2,
3,
4,
5,
6] and ranges from 1 in 300 live births to 22.1 percent [
7,
8].
Increasing quality of life and awareness of problems caused by positional plagiocephaly have raised parental demand for correction of this condition. In recent years, the number of parents seeking counsel for positional plagiocephaly has increased at our clinic.
Many studies that have reported that positional plagiocephaly does not improve naturally [
9]. Asymmetry of face and position of ear can remain permanent [
1]. Helmet orthoses can restore a degree of symmetry to the cranium by limiting growth in protruded areas and by allowing rapid growth in areas which are flat [
10].
Until now, studies have indicated that early initiation of helmet therapy is important and leads to a significantly better outcome within a shorter treatment time. However, few studies have reported helmet therapy in older patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether helmet therapy was effective in older children and to further identify factors associated with desired outcomes.
METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted for and identified 27 infants with positional plagiocephaly between 2008 and 2012. The inclusion criteria of this study were 1) diagnosis of non-synostotic plagiocephaly without surgical treatment, 2) over 18 months of age when cranial remodeling helmet was begun, and 3) completion of helmet therapy or regular follow-up for at least one year with complete documentation.
Every child included in the study underwent a computerized tomography (CT) before starting helmet therapy to exclude synostoses of the cranial sutures. A repeat CT scan was performed after completion of therapy (
Fig. 1).
Anthropometric measurements were made using calipers, as well as using CT images. Effectiveness of treatment was compared using cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) and the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), which were obtained from measurements taken before and after therapy (
Fig. 2).
The most prominent frontozygomatic area-to-contralateral occipital distance was measured on both sides in every patient, using a spreading caliper. The fzA is the most prominent frontozygomatic area and euA is the oppose side from fzA. Thus the longest distance in the vertex view is form fzA to euA. The fzB means the most depressed frontozygomatic area and euB is other side from fzB. The distances were defined as diagonal A (the distance from fz
A to eu
A) or B (the distance from fz
B to eu
B) (A>B), and the cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) (diagonal A-diagonal B) and cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) ([diagonal A-diagonal B]/[diagonal A× 100]) [
10] were measured. CVA and CVAI were compared from the initial measurement to measurements made at each visit to assess the treatment progress (
Fig. 1). A final CVA less than 5 mm was considered as an indicator of successful treatment.
We also analyzed patient compliance. Good compliance meant helmet application for greater than 17 hours per a day. All patients with successful outcomes wore the helmet for greater than 17 hours.
Patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful outcome groups, and were compared using a paired sample T-test and one way analysis of variance test. Differences were considered statistically significant for p<0.05. Data analysis was performed using SPSSWIN ver. 21.0. (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA).
RESULTS
Of the 27 patients, the mean age was 29.7 months (range, 18 to 75 months) at initiation of helmet therapy. The initial mean CVA and CVAI were 15.6 mm (range, 6 to 26 mm) and 9.42% (range, 3.53% to 16.08%), respectively. The mean helmet application time was 17.5 hours per a day (range, 10 to 22.3 hours), and the mean duration of overall treatment was 16.4 months (range, 7 to 33.6 months) (
Table 1).
At the end of follow up period, the mean CVA and CVAI were 8 mm (range, 1 to 15 mm) and 4.91% (range, 0.59 % to 9.68 %). This was approximately a 50% improvement compared to the initial CVA and CVAI, respectively (p<0.001).
Six of 27 patients (22%) were considered to have successful outcomes. For this group of 6 patients, the mean age at helmet therapy initiation was 27.2 months, with initial CVA of 12.5 mm versus final CVA of 2.5 mm. The mean compliance was 21.2 hour/day (
Table 2). Interestingly, the mean helmet therapy duration was shorter for patients with successful outcomes than those without (10.8 months vs. 18.4 months). Initial CVA, CVAI, or age at initiation of therapy were not associated with successful outcomes. However, final CVA, final CVAI, treatment duration, and daily helmet wear were significantly different (
Table 3).
Those who were confirmed as poor compliance among patients with failed treatment (n=6) had improved CVA by 5 mm only (from 16 to 11 mm) and CVAI was 2.96% (from 9.23% to 6.27%), even though their mean treatment period was comparatively long at 20.6 months. Patients with good compliance but with treatment failure (n=12) had improved CVA and CVAI from 17 to 10 mm and 10.63% to 5.28%, respectively. Despite not being determined as a successful outcome, their results were considerably better (
Table 3).
There were no complications during the follow-up period.
Case
A male toddler was begun on helmet treatment at 23 months of age. The child wore the helmet for an average of 22.3 hours a day with an overall treatment duration of 6.3 months (
Fig. 3). His initial CVA and final CVA were 19 mm and 4 mm, respectively. Initial CVAI was 11.18 %, and final CVAI was 2.48%.
DISCUSSION
In the past two decades, parents have shown increasing interest in positional plagiocephaly. Awareness regarding plagiocephaly and the resultant asymmetry of face and unforeseen functional problems has led to a rising demand for treatment [
11]. A number of articles have addressed this issue. There are several possible treatment options, such as physiotherapy, head repositioning, and helmet therapy [
12,
13]. Most studies have reported that treatment such as physiotherapy and head repositioning fail after first 6 month of life [
13].
While the timing of helmet therapy is considered important, also, the debate continues regarding the optimal timing of helmet therapy as the most important factor influencing the outcome. The current consensus is that helmet treatment is best if initiated within the first 12 months of life, since 85% of cranial growth occurs during this time. However, helmet orthoses are considered effective up to 18 months of age. Grigsby [
14] compared differences in treatment duration and outcome of cranial molding therapy between children younger and older than 12 months and 12 months. The authors found that cranial molding treatment was effective in the older group, but required twice the treatment duration for similar amount of correction.
It is no uncommon that parents visit our out-patient clinic with children who are older than 18 months with significant positional plagiocephaly. In the past, we recommend against helmet therapy, considering the lack of evidence in these older children and the high cost of these custom helmets. Fully aware of these factors, however, some parents expressed strong desire to proceed with helmet treatement for their child. We therefore became interested in determining whether this treatment modality was still effective in these older children.
Among the children studied, the mean CVA and CVAI had improved from 15.6 to 8 mm and from 9.42% to 4.91%, respectively. Both of these before-after differences were statistically significant. These results indicated that head shape could be improved in infants older than 18 months, and also that helmet therapy was effective in these older children. The average helmet therapy duration of 16.4 months was higher than those reported in other studies. Kluba et al. [
15] reported the time to successful outcome in patients younger than 6 months and older than 6 months were 14 weeks and 18 weeks of treatment, respectively. In their study, patients younger than 6 months had CVA improvement from 17 to 4.5 mm, and CVAI was from 13.6% to 3.1%. Patients older than 6 months had CVA improvement from 17 to 6.5 mm, and CVAI was from 13.1% to 4.5%.
Six of 27 patients were considered to have successful treatment outcome. All wore the helmet for more than 17 hours per day, and the mean helmet wearing time was 21.2 hours per day. Their CVA was improved, 10 mm (from 12.5 to 2.5 mm) and CVAI was 5.05% (from 6.56% to 1.51%). The treatment duration for this subgroup was 10.8 months.
Among patients who wore the helmet for less than 17 hours per a day, the CVA and CVAI was improved only 5 mm (from 16 to 11 mm) and 2.96% (from 9.23% to 6.27 %), respectively. Their treatment period was 20.6 months (
Table 3). In a comparison between successful and unsuccessful outcome groups, there was no significant difference in the initial CVA, initial CVAI, and age at helmet treatment initiation. However, final CVA, final CVAI, compliance, treatment period, and compliance were significantly different. It means that good compliance could be a key of successful outcome, and can shortening helmet wearing duration. These results indicate that a more consistent sue of the helmet (maximal hours each day) can achieve a successful outcome, and can shorten the overall duration of treatment. Twelve patients were considered to be in good compliance with a mean of 18.9 hours per day but did not reach successful outcome. Their CVA and CVAI were improved by a difference of 7 mm and 5.35%, respectively. These values represent relative improvements of approximately 50%. The helmet treatment was effective in infants older than 18 months.
The limitation of our study was that we included completely treated patients. There was selection bias in this study because patients with better outcomes had no complications and more easily completed the treatment and came back for follow-up visits. Because of the small study size, we could not suggest an optimal duration for helmet treatment for this older population of infants. If we are able to obtain a larger sample, we will conduct a future study to answer this question. Furthermore, long-term follow up is needed to examine psychological aspects of using these devices for children who are beginning the social phases of their development.
This report reached a definitive conclusion that helmet treatment was effective in infants older than 18 months whose parents are able to comply with a strict helmet wearing regimen. Compliance was crucial to successful outcome; otherwise, longer treatment durations were needed for older patients and was associated with additional burdens like cleansing, checking for correct fitness, and skin irritation. However, if the helmet was used for more than 20 hours per a day, the duration of treatment was somewhat shortened.