INCREASES IN PLAGIOCEPHALY

Doctors have noticed a startling increase of cases of plagiocephaly in the past 15 years.  The onset of the surge coincides directly with the 1992 introduction of the  American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) "Back to Sleep" campaign advocating infant back sleeping to prevent Sudden Infant Dealth Syndrome (SIDS).  The AAP initiative recommended that babies lie on their backs (not tummy or side) during sleep time.  This AAP "Back to Sleep" initiative had great success in reducing the number of infants dying from SIDS.  However, as more parents adopted these recommendations, cases of plagiocephaly skyrocketed.  

Reference to the studies are listed below.

This information is provided by the American Institute of Plagiocephaly.

Dr. Plagio is a strong supporter of the AAP back-to-sleep initiative and recommends parents to keep their child on their back during sleep time.  However, parents need to be vigilant about integrating some easy dat-to-day preventative measures to also prevent plagiocephaly. 

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REFERENCES
[1] P.M. Dunn, Congenital sternomastoid torticollis: an intrauterine postural deformity, Arch Dis Child 49 (1974), pp. 824–825.

[2] Kane AA, Mitchell LE, Craven KP, Marsh JL. Observations on a recent increase of plagiocephaly without synostosis. Pediatrics, 1996-1997

[3] L.C. Argenta, L.R. David, J.A. Wilson and W.O. Bell, An increase in infant cranial deformity with supine sleeping position, J Craniofac Surg 7 (1996), pp. 5–11.

[4] A.E. Turk, J.G. McCarthy, C.H.M. Thorne and J.H. Wisoff, The “Back to Sleep Campaign” and deformational plagiocephaly: is there cause for concern?, J Craniofac Surg 7 (1996), pp. 12–18.

[5] A.A. Kane, L.E. Mitchell, K.P. Craven and J.L. Marsh, Observations on a recent increase in plagiocephaly without synostosis, Pediatrics 97 (1996), pp. 877–885.

[6] M.M.M. Boere-BooneKamp and L.T. van der Linden-Kuiper, Positional preference: prevalence in infants and follow-up after two years, Pediatrics 107 (2001), pp. 339–343.