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Published Scientific Journal Articles Available Online

Static Orthotic Cranioplasty as a Nonsurgical Alternative for the Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly
Orthotic treatment of craniofacial deformities was initiated in the mid1970s. Changes in recommended infant sleeping position and a subsequent rise in the occurrence of deformational plagiocephaly have spurred an increase in the number of patients identified and treated for craniofacial deformities by orthotic practitioners. This study analyzed the use of static orthotic cranioplasty as an effective nonsurgical alternative for patients with deformational plagiocephaly.

AAP Task Force on Infant Positioning and SIDS
In 1992 this document was released linking certain sleep positions to an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and makes the recommendation for parents to position children on their backs to sleep. This was the birth of the Back to Sleep Campaign. The campaign has lowered the national SIDS rate by approx. 50%, but is a main cause of positional plagiocephaly.

AAP Task Force on Infant Positioning and SIDS. Positioning and SIDS. Pediatrics. 1992; 89: 1120

An Increase in Infant Cranial Deformity with Supine Sleeping Position
Describes a supine sleeping position as a causal factor of plagiocephaly (or head-flattening) in infants.
Argenta LC, David L, Wilson J, Bell WO. An Increase in Infant Cranial Deformity with Supine Sleeping Position. J. Craniofac. Surg. 1996; 7: 5-11

The Differential Diagnosis of Abnormal Head Shapes
Recognizes different conditions (those caused by positioning and those by synostosis) and the treatments that work best for each respectively
Huang M, et al.The Differential Diagnosis of Abnormal Head Shapes: Separating Craniosynostosis from Positional Deformities and Normal Variants. Cleft Palate Craniofacial. 1998; 35: 204-211.

The Early Recognition and Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly with Orthotic Cranioplasty
Findings support the clinical observations that earlier intervention results in significantly improved treatment of plagiocephaly, independent of the severity of the presenting asymmetries.
Kelly K, Littlefield TR. Importance of Early Recognition and Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly with Orthotic Cranioplasty. Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal 1999; 36: 127-130

Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty: Treating the Older Infant
Report of 4 helmet patients shows better results when treated younger. Positional plagiocephaly therapy works best in first few months after birth, but will become ineffective as skull hardens. Helmet Therapy is then an option
Littlefield TR, Pomatto JK, Kelly K. Treatment of the Craniofacial Asymmetry with Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty. 2000; 9: 11-17

Studies on Head Molding During Labor
Describes how a baby’s head may be molded during labor. The amount of “molding” is directly related to the length of the labor before birth.
Moloy HC. Studies on Head Molding during Labor. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 1942; 44:762-781

Comparison of Infant Head Shape Changes in Deformational Plagiocephaly Following Treatment with a Cranial Molding Orthosis Using a Noninvasive Scanner Shape Digitizer
Studies show the benefits of cranial molding for deformational plagiocephaly and the ease of assessment with a 3-D laser scanner. Repositioning is beneficial first mode of treatment for children up to 3 mos.
Plank LH, et al. Comparison of Infant Head Shape Changes in Deformational Plagiocephaly Following Treatment with a Cranial Molding Orthosis Using a Noninvasive Scanner Shape Digitizer. J. Craniofac. Surg. 2006; 17, 6.

Additional Industry Articles:

Clarren SK. Plagiocephaly and torticollis: Etiology, natural history, and helmet treatment. J Pediatrics. 1981; 98: 92-95
Clarren SK, Smith DW, Hanson J. Helmet Treatment for Plagiocephaly and Congenital Muscular torticollis. J. Pediatr. 1979; 94: 43-46
Gerszten PC, Gerszten E. Intentional Cranial Deformation: A disappearing Form of Self Mutilation. Neurosurgery 1995; 37: 374-382
Hansen M, Mulliken JB. Frontal Plagiocephaly: Diagnosis and Treatment. Clin. Plast. Surg. 1994; 21: 543-55
Huang M, Gruss J. The Differential Diagnosis of Posterior Plagiocephaly: True Lamboid Synostosis versus Positional Molding. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 1996; 98: 765-776
Littlefield TR, Kelly K. Multiple birth Infants at Higher Risks for Development of Deformational Plagiocephaly. Pediatrics 1999; 103: 565-569
Jaskoll T, Melnick M. The Effects of Long Term Fetal Constraint in vitro on the Cranial Base and other Skeletal Components. Am. J. Med. Genet. 1982; 12: 289-300
Marsh JI, Vannier MW. Cranial Deformity, Comprehensive Care for Craniofacial Deformities. St. Louis; CV Mosby, 1985: 121-153
Nichter L, Persing J, Horowitz J, Edgerton M. External Cranioplasty: Historical Perspectives. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 1986; 77: 325-332
Pattisapu JV, Walker ML, Myers GG, Cheever J. Use of Helmets for Positional Molding. in: Marlin AE, ed. Concepts of Ped. Neurosurg. Basel: Karger; 1989; 9: 178-184
Ripley CE, Pomatto J, Beals SP. Treatment of Positional Plagiocephaly with Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty. J. Craniofac. Surg. 1994; 5: 150-160
Turk AE, McCarthy JG, Thorne CHM, Wisoff JH. The Back to Sleep Campaign and Deformational Plagiocephaly: Is There Cause for Concern. J. Craniofac. Surg. 1996; 7: 12-18