488 - 3D scans at 1-month-of-age can predict deformational plagiocephaly severity

Poster Number: 488
Publication Number: 488.344

Nobuhiko Nagano, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Hiroshi Miyabayashi, Nihon University school of medicine, Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan; Risa Kato, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan; Takanori Noto, Nihon University Itabashi Hospital, nerima hikawadai 3-40-6, Tokyo, Japan; Shin Hashimoto, Kasukabe Medical Center, Kasukabe-shi, Saitama, Japan; Katsuya Saito, no, Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan; Ichiro Morioka, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan

Background: Helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is recommended to be initiated at 3 to 6 months-of-age. Because DP can be improved in some cases by re-positioning of the infant, delays in starting helmet therapy is often encountered.

Objective: Using three-dimensional (3D) scanning we monitored changes in cranial shape and determined whether the severity of DP at 6 months-of-age can be predicted at 1 month-of-age in healthy Japanese infants.

Design/Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study after obtaining IRB approval. Japanese healthy infants who visited our hospitals from April 2020 to April 2021 were enrolled with re-positioning. Preterm infants and infants received helmet therapy were excluded. Cranial geometry was measured using Artec’s 3D scanner at 1, 3, and 6 months-of-age (T1, T2, and T3, respectively). Cranial asymmetry (CA), cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), were then measured to assess progression of cranial development. DP was defined as a CVAI>5.0% with severity classified as mild (CA ≤10 mm) or moderate/severe (CA >10 mm).

Results: A total of 92 infants were included in this study. Median values and interquartile ranges of each parameter are shown in Table 1. DP incidence was 51.3%, 56.8%, and 43.2% at T1, T2, and T3 (p=0.032).76 (82.6%) of 92 infants had similar DP severities at T1 and T3 (p=0.45).Conclusion(s): DP severity could be predicted by 3D scanning at 1 month-of-age because we found that DP severity did not change at 1 and 6 months-of-age.
Assessment of cranial shape