Pugnaghi F1, Beccani L1, Alboresi S1
1Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Background: Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is the most common type of cranial asymmetry in infancy and its prevalence has increased after the introduction of the “Back to Sleep” campaign in Western countries. The first-line treatment is conservative, utilizing repositioning and physiotherapy. Since the first few weeks from birth, the pediatrician should instruct parents on methods which proactively decrease the likelihood of the development of occipital flattening and on the appropriate daily management of postures.
Purpose: To inform parents about the treatment of PP and its prevention.
Methods: From February to October 2017 we conducted a qualitative study, divided into treatment and prevention pathways. We designed two brochures about repositioning, based on previously published work by the UDGEE in Reggio Emilia, The Meyer Children Hospital in Florence, and the GIS Fisioterapia Pedaitrica AIFI. To elicit an evaluation of our brochures, we administered qualitative questionnaires to physiotherapists from the UDGEE and to parents of children with PP. We also constructed a database, including information about patients with PP who visited the UDGEE from 2012 to 2017. On the basis of our analysis of the database, a campaign for the prevention of PP was started in collaboration with pediatricians at the AUSL in Reggio Emilia.
Results: 5 physiotherapists and 11 parents replied to the questionnaire. Their feedback in the questionnaires was used to improve the brochures entitled “Positional plagiocephaly with right rotation” and “Positional plagiocephaly with left rotation”. The brochures will be provided by physiotherapists and physiatrists to all parents of children with PP who will visit the UDGEE. The analysis of the database showed that 119 children with PP visited the UDGEE from 2012 to 2017 at an average age of 4,71 months. To reduce the average age of the child at the visit and prevent PP, pediatricians agreed to deliver in person a pamphlet entitled “The prevention of newborns' cranial and postural asymmetries: how to position the baby from birth to 3 months”, edited by the GIS Fisioterapia Pediatrica AIFI, to all families of children born in the province of Reggio Emilia after discharge from hospital.
Conclusion(s): Parents of children with PP who will visit the UDGEE will receive from physiotherapists and physiatrists the brochure “Positional plagiocephaly with right rotation” or “Positional plagiocephaly with left rotation” about the treatment of PP. Parents of children born in the province of Reggio Emilia will receive from pediatricians the pamphlet “The prevention of newborns' cranial and postural asymmetries: how to position the baby from birth to 3 months” about the prevention of PP.
Implications: This study will hopefully reduce the number of children affected by PP in the province of Reggio Emilia.
Keywords: Plagiocephaly, Treatment, Prevention
Funding acknowledgements: None
Purpose: To inform parents about the treatment of PP and its prevention.
Methods: From February to October 2017 we conducted a qualitative study, divided into treatment and prevention pathways. We designed two brochures about repositioning, based on previously published work by the UDGEE in Reggio Emilia, The Meyer Children Hospital in Florence, and the GIS Fisioterapia Pedaitrica AIFI. To elicit an evaluation of our brochures, we administered qualitative questionnaires to physiotherapists from the UDGEE and to parents of children with PP. We also constructed a database, including information about patients with PP who visited the UDGEE from 2012 to 2017. On the basis of our analysis of the database, a campaign for the prevention of PP was started in collaboration with pediatricians at the AUSL in Reggio Emilia.
Results: 5 physiotherapists and 11 parents replied to the questionnaire. Their feedback in the questionnaires was used to improve the brochures entitled “Positional plagiocephaly with right rotation” and “Positional plagiocephaly with left rotation”. The brochures will be provided by physiotherapists and physiatrists to all parents of children with PP who will visit the UDGEE. The analysis of the database showed that 119 children with PP visited the UDGEE from 2012 to 2017 at an average age of 4,71 months. To reduce the average age of the child at the visit and prevent PP, pediatricians agreed to deliver in person a pamphlet entitled “The prevention of newborns' cranial and postural asymmetries: how to position the baby from birth to 3 months”, edited by the GIS Fisioterapia Pediatrica AIFI, to all families of children born in the province of Reggio Emilia after discharge from hospital.
Conclusion(s): Parents of children with PP who will visit the UDGEE will receive from physiotherapists and physiatrists the brochure “Positional plagiocephaly with right rotation” or “Positional plagiocephaly with left rotation” about the treatment of PP. Parents of children born in the province of Reggio Emilia will receive from pediatricians the pamphlet “The prevention of newborns' cranial and postural asymmetries: how to position the baby from birth to 3 months” about the prevention of PP.
Implications: This study will hopefully reduce the number of children affected by PP in the province of Reggio Emilia.
Keywords: Plagiocephaly, Treatment, Prevention
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Ethics committee: Azienda Ospedaliera di Reggio Emilia
Reason not required: This study is a retrospective review based on previously approved scientific researches.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
