Effects of osteopathic approach in infants with deformational plagiocephaly: an outcome research study.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of the osteopathic approach in infants with deformational plagiocephaly at 12-month follow up and to evaluate parental satisfaction and safety of the treatments.

METHODS

The authors reviewed charts of infants with a medical diagnosis of deformational plagiocephaly consecutively seen in a private paediatric outpatient in Rome, Italy, between December 2016 and February 2018. After applying the exclusion criteria, infants under 6 months of corrected age, with diagnosis of deformational plagiocephaly and assessed with a plagiocephalometry were included.

RESULTS

37 infants (mean age 16,6±5,7 weeks; 19 females) were eligible for this study, generating 35 unilateral deformational plagiocephaly (21 right-sided) and 18 brachycephaly (16 infants had both). After an average of 6.5±2.8 osteopathic manipulative treatments plus postural advice, a significant reduction of all indices of the plagiocephalometry assessments was reported at 12-month follow up. Oblique Diameter Difference Index decreased from 109 ± 4.5 to 103.7 ± 1.9 (Mean diff - 5.3 CI 95% {-5.83; -3.41}, p<0.001); Cranial Proportional Index decreased from 94.9 ± 3.8 to 85.6 ± 2.4 (mean diff -9.3 CI 95% {-11.39; -7.37}, p<0.001); Ear Deviation Index decreased from 7.7 ± 3.3 to 3 ± 1.6 (mean diff -4.7 CI 95% {-6.1; -2.84}, p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Osteopathic approach could be considered an interesting option in the treatment of infants with deformational plagiocephaly. Parents were overall satisfied with this approach. No adverse events or reactions were reported in this study. Multicentre randomized controlled trials are recommended.