INTRODUCTION: Due to a rising number of head deformities in healthy newborns, there has been an increasing interest in nonsynostotic head deformities in children over recent years. Although preterm infants are more likely to have anomalous head shapes than term newborns, there is limited data available on early prevalence of head deformities in preterm infants. AIMS: The purposes of the present study were to acquire quantitative data on head shape of preterm infants at Term Equivalent Age (TEA), to determine the prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities and to identify possible risk factors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study design, Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Cranial Index (CI) calculated from routine head-scans with a non-invasive laser shape digitizer were recorded and categorized in type and severity of deformation for three different groups of gestational age. Perinatal and postnatal patient data was tested for possible associations. RESULTS: Scans of 195 infants were included in the study. CVAI at TEA was higher in very preterm (4.1%) compared to term and late preterm infants. Prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly was 38% in very preterm infants. CI was lower in very (71.4%) and late (77.2%) preterm infants compared to term infants (80.0%). Compared to term babies (11%), a large number of very (73%) and late (28%) preterm infants exhibited dolichocephaly at TEA. DISCUSSION: Prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities in preterm infants is high at TEA. Interventions are required to prevent head deformities in preterm infants during the initial hospital stay.
INTRODUCTION: Due to a rising number of head deformities in healthy newborns, there has been an increasing interest in nonsynostotic head deformities in children over recent years. Although preterm infants are more likely to have anomalous head shapes than term newborns, there is limited data available on early prevalence of head deformities in preterm infants. AIMS: The purposes of the present study were to acquire quantitative data on head shape of preterm infants at Term Equivalent Age (TEA), to determine the prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities and to identify possible risk factors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study design, Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and Cranial Index (CI) calculated from routine head-scans with a non-invasive laser shape digitizer were recorded and categorized in type and severity of deformation for three different groups of gestational age. Perinatal and postnatal patient data was tested for possible associations. RESULTS: Scans of 195 infants were included in the study. CVAI at TEA was higher in very preterm (4.1%) compared to term and late preterm infants. Prevalence of deformational plagiocephaly was 38% in very preterm infants. CI was lower in very (71.4%) and late (77.2%) preterm infants compared to term infants (80.0%). Compared to term babies (11%), a large number of very (73%) and late (28%) preterm infants exhibited dolichocephaly at TEA. DISCUSSION: Prevalence of symmetrical and asymmetrical head deformities in preterm infants is high at TEA. Interventions are required to prevent head deformities in preterm infants during the initial hospital stay.
Authors: Alina Jurcoane; Marcel Daamen; Vera C Keil; Lukas Scheef; Josef G Bäuml; Chun Meng; Afra M Wohlschläger; Christian Sorg; Barbara Busch; Nicole Baumann; Dieter Wolke; Peter Bartmann; Henning Boecker; Guido Lüchters; Milka Marinova; Elke Hattingen Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2019-03-22 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: Anniina M Launonen; Henri Aarnivala; Panagiotis Kyteas; Ville Vuollo; Tuomo Heikkinen; Chung H Kau; Pertti Pirttiniemi; Virpi Harila; A Marita Valkama Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-10-11 Impact factor: 4.241
Authors: Petra Santander; Anja Quast; Johanna Hubbert; Laura Juenemann; Sebastian Horn; Kai O Hensel; Philipp Meyer-Marcotty; Jana-Katharina Dieks Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-10-27 Impact factor: 4.379